Abstract: An external ultrasound probe assembly capable of scanning a three-dimensional volume is provided. The ultrasound probe assembly contains a plurality of ultrasonic transducers disposed along a longitudinal axis of the probe assembly. The plurality of ultrasonic transducers is disposed on a mechanism operable to reciprocally pivot the plurality of ultrasonic transducers enabling the plurality of ultrasonic transducers to scan the entire three-dimensional volume. A helically disposed electrical interconnection member may be disposed about a pivot axis of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers and may electrically interconnect the plurality of ultrasonic transducers to an ultrasound imaging system. The ultrasound probe assembly may be fluid filled and contain bubble position control and fluid expansion compensation features.

Abstract: An improved catheter is provided. The catheter may include a deflectable member located at a distal end of the catheter. The deflectable member may comprise an ultrasound transducer array. The catheter may include a lumen extending from a proximal end of the catheter to the distal end. The lumen may be used to deliver an interventional device to a point distal to the distal end of the catheter. The deflectable member may be selectively deflectable in a pivot-like manner through an arc of at least 90 degrees. In embodiments where the deflectable member includes an ultrasound transducer array, the ultrasound transducer array may be operable to image both when aligned with the catheter and when pivoted relative to the catheter. When pivoted relative to the catheter, the ultrasound transducer array may have a field of view distal to the distal end of the catheter.

Abstract: Actuators employable for oscillating movement of a load. An improved actuator may include at least a first shape memory member that is actuatable to affect at least a portion of the oscillating movement of the load. The actuator may further include a second shape memory member actuatable to affect at least a second portion of the oscillating movement of the load. The utilization of one or more shape memory members facilitates the realization of controllable and reliable oscillating movement of a load in a compact manner. Such actuators may be used in imaging catheters having an ultrasound transducer disposed for oscillating movement to scan across an internal region of interest. Such imaging catheters may be used in generating three dimensional and/or real-time three dimensional (4D) images.

Abstract: An external ultrasound probe assembly capable of scanning a three-dimensional volume is provided. The ultrasound probe assembly contains a plurality of ultrasonic transducers disposed along a longitudinal axis of the probe assembly. The plurality of ultrasonic transducers is disposed on a mechanism operable to reciprocally pivot the plurality of ultrasonic transducers enabling the plurality of ultrasonic transducers to scan the entire three-dimensional volume. A helically disposed electrical interconnection member may be disposed about a pivot axis of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers and may electrically interconnect the plurality of ultrasonic transducers to an ultrasound imaging system. The ultrasound probe assembly may be fluid filled and contain bubble position control and fluid expansion compensation features.

Abstract: An improved catheter is provided. The catheter may include a deflectable member located at a distal end of the catheter. The deflectable member may comprise an ultrasound transducer array. The catheter may include a lumen extending from a proximal end of the catheter to the distal end. The lumen may be used to deliver an interventional device to a point distal to the distal end of the catheter. The deflectable member may be selectively deflectable in a pivot-like manner through an arc of at least 90 degrees. In embodiments where the deflectable member includes an ultrasound transducer array, the ultrasound transducer array may be operable to image both when aligned with the catheter and when pivoted relative to the catheter. When pivoted relative to the catheter, the ultrasound transducer array may have a field of view distal to the distal end of the catheter.

Abstract: In a photographic process printer system that receives printable pixel data into a print engine component from a computer component over a high-speed fiber channel communication pathway. Feedback control messages from the print engine component are sent over a low-speed serial channel communication pathway to the computer component to control the transmission of printable pixel data. The computer component continues to transmit packets of printable pixel data over the high-speed fiber channel communication pathway as long as the feedback control messages indicate that the print engine component is ready to receive more packets of printable pixel data.

Abstract: Disclosed is a photographic printer with bi-directional sweeping of a monochrome CRT to expose a photosensitive medium. Image data from a host system is received by the printer and stored in a data drive system. The data drive system converts the data into a series of rows of dot row data to produce the appropriate image desired. Linear deflection amplifiers sweep the CRT's electron beam across the face of the CRT to expose the medium utilizing the dot row data. The present invention sweeps and writes data bi-directionally, eliminating the retrace period associated with sweeping and writing in one direction, and without any hold periods once printing starts. The data in every other dot row is processed in reverse order so that the dot row data utilized in the reverse writing sweep will be exposed onto the medium in proper relationship to the rows written above and below it.

Abstract: Disclosed is a photographic printer with bi-directional sweeping of a color CRT to expose a photosensitive medium. Image data from a host system is received by the printer and stored in a data drive system. The data drive system converts the data into a series of rows of dot row data to produce the appropriate image desired. Linear deflection amplifiers sweep the CRT's electron beam across the color phosphor areas on the face of the CRT to expose the medium utilizing the dot row data. The present invention sweeps and writes data bi-directionally, eliminating the retrace period associated with sweeping and writing in one direction, and without any hold periods once printing starts. The data in every other dot row is processed in reverse order so that the dot row data utilized in the reverse writing sweep will be exposed onto the medium in proper relationship to the rows written before and after it.

Abstract: The present invention provides a medical ultrasonic imaging device with dynamic focusing that is capable of operating at high frequencies and providing high resolution. One embodiment of the device includes a plurality of transducers, arranged in either a linear or curved array, for converting an ultrasonic signal received by the device into a plurality of electrical signals. This embodiment of the device also includes a plurality of vector modulators for phase-shifting the plurality of electrical signals to achieve fine focusing. A delay line array is further included in the device that allows each of the phase-shifted electrical signals to be delayed by a selected amount to achieve coarse focusing of the electrical signals. Further included in the device is a summer of summing the time delayed and phase-shifted electrical signals to provide focused image data.

Abstract: In an improved control circuit for the heating current of a system for developing latent photographic images on a heat developable medium, an incipient loss of tension in the record medium is sensed by detecting high frequency components of the energizing current incident to incipient arcing at the heating electrodes. The resulting signal is utilized to interrupt the flow of current to the heating electrodes, to prevent further arcing and the danger of fire. A time delay feature is incorporated to restore the heating current after a predetermined delay. If the tension in the record medium has not been restored, then the incipient arcing will again cause an interruption of the heating current.

Abstract: In a control circuit to prevent the overheating of a conductively backed recording medium, a closed loop control circuit is provided wherein heat is provided to the heating electrodes of the circuit by one subcircuit under the control of a speed responsive control subcircuit. A feedback loop to a summing junction in the latter subcircuits is monitored to determine a deviation from virtual zero at that junction. A deviation from such virtual zero at that junction is used to control a shutdown safety circuit.

Abstract: A multivibrator circuit having a pair of capacitor cross-coupled transistors arranged to form a flip-flop circuit. The base and collector currents for the flipflop transistors are concurrently varied by respective current sources controlled by a multivibrator input signal. The circuit has a constant Beta requirement for the transistors over a wide frequency range while maintaining a high speed operation.

Abstract: This distance measurement system employs the principle of electromagnetic induction to sense distances between an inductive transducer and an object. The inductive transducer forms a part of a signal phase network, and a means for comparing the signal of the inductive transducer to a reference signal provides linear output of the dimension between the transducer and an object. A circuit element such as a capacitor is connected in parallel with the inductive transducer to enhance the sensitivity and resolution of the measurement, to significantly reduce or eliminate error due to temperature, and to provide a high degree of output linearity relative to the distance measured.