Abstract: An unpriced order auction and related market center and process are disclosed which allow posting market centers (e.g., exchanges) to schedule an auction that includes unpriced (Market) orders only. Such unpriced order auction executes at the midpoint of the NBBO, ensuring that the cross reflects the best prices in the entire marketplace, while discouraging the manipulation of the auction price on the posting market center. The disclosed auction also executes concurrently, but separately from the regular continuous matching process.

Abstract: A tracking liquidity order and related market center and process are disclosed which allow posting market centers (e.g. exchanges) to fill routable, smaller orders that would have otherwise routed off the posting market center. Such tracking liquidity orders increase the liquidity of that posting market center and allow it to execute more orders internally, without having to route them to an away market center.

Abstract: A method of detecting migration of tumor cells is provided by implanting in a region of tumor cells one or more implants having a matrix material of a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer, and a plurality of nanoparticles dispersed within the matrix material and functionalized to bind tumor cells. Nanoparticles bound to the tumor cells that have migrated out of the region can be detected by various imaging modalities. The implant can be in the shape of a brachytherapy spacer or radiotherapy fiducial maker or can be a coating on a brachytherapy spacer or fiducial marker. A method of treating cancer is provided by implanting one or more brachytherapy spacers or fiducial markers including the matrix material and an anti-cancer therapeutic agent dispersed within the matrix material.

Abstract: A turbine disc having a radius and a circumference is provided. The turbine disc includes a central aperture and a plurality of cooling channels circumferentially spaced about the central aperture such that the cooling channels are in flow communication with the central aperture. Each of the cooling channels has a radially inner end, a radially outer end, and a lengthwise axis that is curved between the radially inner end and the radially outer end.

Abstract: An oxygen sensor is provided for measuring a dissolved oxygen concentration when deployed or implanted at a tissue site. The oxygen sensor includes a solid-state contrast agent for oxygen. The oxygen sensor is configured to indicate the dissolved oxygen concentration of a tissue when subjected to a magnetic resonance based method. The oxygen sensor may be used to map tumor oxygenation levels and for adaptive planning in brachytherapy.

Abstract: Arrayed imaging systems include an array of detectors formed with a common base and a first array of layered optical elements, each one of the layered optical elements being optically connected with a detector in the array of detectors.

Abstract: A compressor includes a purge flow extraction path extending radially and configured to direct an airflow radially inwardly. Also included is a center bore at least partially defined by a rotor structure extending axially and fluidly coupled to the purge flow extraction path. Further included is an airflow manipulation device disposed entirely within the center bore, the airflow manipulation device having a plurality of vanes defining at least one vane slot.

Abstract: A method of detecting migration of tumor cells is provided by implanting in a region of tumor cells one or more implants having a matrix material of a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer, and a plurality of nanoparticles dispersed within the matrix material and functionalized to bind tumor cells. Nanoparticles bound to the tumor cells that have migrated out of the region can be detected by various imaging modalities. The implant can be in the shape of a brachytherapy spacer or radiotherapy fiducial maker or can be a coating on a brachytherapy spacer or fiducial marker. A method of treating cancer is provided by implanting one or more brachytherapy spacers or fiducial markers including the matrix material and an anti-cancer therapeutic agent dispersed within the matrix material.

Abstract: A turbine disc having a radius and a circumference is provided. The turbine disc includes a central aperture and a plurality of cooling channels circumferentially spaced about the central aperture such that the cooling channels are in flow communication with the central aperture. Each of the cooling channels has a radially inner end, a radially outer end, and a lengthwise axis that is curved between the radially inner end and the radially outer end.

Abstract: Arrayed imaging systems include an array of detectors formed with a common base and a first array of layered optical elements, each one of the layered optical elements being optically connected with a detector in the array of detectors.

Abstract: Arrayed imaging systems include an array of detectors formed with a common base and a first array of layered optical elements, each one of the layered optical elements being optically connected with a detector in the array of detectors.

Abstract: A composite system for use in conjunction with an MR-imaging procedure. One composite system includes a fully-metallic filament, such as a needle or guide-wire, equipped with flat MR RF-receiver microcoil disposed such that a normal to the coil's plane is substantially transverse to the filament's axis. The microcoil is electrically connected to external device to register change of position and orientation of the tip during the navigation of the filament. Alternative composite system includes a filament made from different materials. The very tip includes diamagnetic and non-metallic tube tightly fit around geometrically-modified portion of the main body and carries at least one microcoil electrically connected to external device to register change of position and orientation of the tip during the filament navigation. Data representing co-registration of the position and/or orientation of filament is fed back to the system to improve navigation accuracy and precision.

Abstract: Arrayed imaging systems include an array of detectors formed with a common base and a first array of layered optical elements, each one of the layered optical elements being optically connected with a detector in the array of detectors.

Abstract: Arrayed imaging systems include an array of detectors formed with a common base and a first array of layered optical elements, each one of the layered optical elements being optically connected with a detector in the array of detectors.

Abstract: Zoom lens systems and methods for imaging incoming rays over a range of ray angles are disclosed. The incoming rays are characterized by at least phase. The zoom lens system includes an optical axis and is characterized by a plurality of modulation transfer functions (MTFs) corresponding at least to the range of ray angles. The zoom lens system includes an optical group disposed along the optical axis, including at least one variable optical element that has a variable focal length selectable between at least two distinct focal length values. The optical group also includes a wavefront coding element. The wavefront coding element alters at least the phase of the incoming rays, such that the plurality of MTFs corresponding to the range of ray angles, for each one of the two distinct focal length values, are less sensitive to misfocus-like aberrations than a corresponding system without the wavefront coding element.

Abstract: Low height imaging systems may include one or more optical channels and a detector array. Each of the optical channels may be associated with one or more detectors of the array, have one or more optical components and a restrictive ray corrector, and be configured to direct steeper incident angle field rays onto the detectors. Alternatively, each of the optical channels may be associated with at least one detector, and have an aspheric GRIN lens. Another low height imaging system has an array of detectors and a GRIN lens having a surface with wavefront coding and configured to direct steeper incident angle field rays onto more than one of the detectors. One method forms a lens with wavefront coding. The method includes positioning a lens in a mold; and curing material onto a surface of the lens to form an aspheric surface of the lens with wavefront coding.

Abstract: A computer based method and apparatus for providing prostate brachytherapy using Interventional Magnetic Resonance imaging is described. The invention utilizes the excellent soft tissue visualization that Interventional Magnetic Resonance provides to produce radiographic, geometric and dosimetric feedback to an implant treatment planner (software module). The feedback enables an iterative procedure for the placement of needles based upon cumulative dosimetric feedback on the effect of the current and prior needle placements. The invention allows a treatment plan to be developed and the implantation procedure to be performed initially in accordance with the developed treatment plan. Modifications to the plan are made in real-time by the invention software module coupled to the IMR imaging system. The implantation procedure continues with the modified plan where further modifications are made to the plan with placement of each subsequent needle.

Abstract: An optical improvement for angular position sensors, which may be used to determine the spatial coordinates of a small source of light (or other energy) in a 3-dimensional volume. Such sensors normally include a linear photosensitive image detector such as a photodiode array or a charge-coupled device (CCD). An irregular pattern of parallel slits is described which increases the amount of light gathered while avoiding the undesirable characteristics of lens optics for this application. One optimal type of irregular pattern is the uniformly redundant array. A mathematical correlation function together with a polynomial interpolation function can determine the displacement of the image on the detector and thereby the location of the source relative to one angular dimension. Given the locations and orientations of several sensors in a 3-dimensional coordinate system and given the angles measured by each, the location of the point source can be computed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for inspecting multilayer articles. An article to be inspected is clamped in a liquid filled tank between a pair of focused transducers. An ultrasonic pulse is introduced to a cross section of the article from each transducer sequentially. Reflections from the surfaces and interfaces within the article are received by each transducer and transmitted to a computer for analysis. The thicknesses of the innermost layers of the article are determined by calculating the mean of the measurements from each transducer for each inner layer.