Abstract: A method is provided to automatically determine a structure cancelled image in a dual energy decomposition system. A high energy and a low energy level image of internal anatomy formed of at least first and second types of structure are acquired. A characteristic mask is computed using a gradient mask and a localization mask. A first cancellation parameter is evaluated against the characteristic mask, and a second cancellation parameter is computed based upon the first cancellation parameter. The first or second cancellation parameter is selected from a range in a look-up table determined by an effective kVp used to acquire the high level image and an effective kVp used to acquire the low level image. An image of soft structure and an image of hard structure are obtained from the first and second energy level images according to a cancellation equation using the first and second cancellation parameters.

Abstract: A tire having a tread consisting of two circumferential layers of non-conductive material, each layer containing a circumferential insert made of a conductive mix and having on the contact surface between the two layers a circumferential footprint, the first of these layers having on the said surface a circumferential footprint with a circular path of width e, the second layer having on the said surface a circumferential footprint of width e′ lying across and having crests on either side of the circular path of the first layer, such that circumferentially between the two paths there are numerous points of contact which ensure electrical connection between the two conductive elements. The second layer with its insert is extruded from a main extruder for the extrusion of the portion of a tread in the unvulcanized condition, and a micro-extruder whose extrusion nozzle is fitted with a cutting edge and whose extrusion orifice is directed against a conveyor associated with the main extruder.

Abstract: A system and method for improved imaging of a patient through the use of low-dose exposure aided positioning is provided. The patient is positioned in the X-ray system and them imaged with a low-dose pre-shot to verify the positioning of the patient. If the patient's positioning is acceptable, the patient is then imaged with a full-dose X-ray exposure. If the patient's positioning is not acceptable, the patient is repositioned and re-imaged with a low-dose pre-shot until the patient's positioning is acceptable. The low-dose pre-shot may take the form of a low-dose X-ray imaging sequence. The present invention thus provides for rapid verification of the proper positioning of the patient in the X-ray system in order to provide for optimal X-ray image quality. Additionally, the X-ray imaging system thus minimizes the additional exposure to X-ray radiation on the part of the patient.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving angiographic images to be used with a radiography device comprising an X-ray source, a device for recording an image and an object positioned so as to present a region of interest to be imaged. The method comprises a) acquisition of a series of successive images of the region of interest; b) determination of a map image from the series of images; c) determination of a set of parameters characterizing a Gaussian distribution function that models the distribution of the grey levels of the map image; d) determination of a brightness and/or contrast improvement function; and e) application of the improvement function to the series of images in a subtractive mode.

Abstract: A method of processing dual energy images. The method includes obtaining a first image generated at a first energy level and obtaining a second image generated at a second energy level different than the first energy level. The first and second images are pre-processed and decomposed to form a raw soft-tissue image and a raw bone image. The raw soft-tissue image is post-processed to form a processed soft-tissue image and the raw bone image is post-processed to form a processed bone image. The processed soft-tissue image and the processed bone image are then display processed.

Abstract: To make the settings for an X-ray installation, so that the images that it reveals have the greatest possible contrast, a measurement is made of a mean equivalent thickness of the body of a patient being examined from a test image. However, as a preliminary, the test image is rid of those pixels for which it is known, a priori, that their significance does not comprise any interesting gray levels. The dynamic range of the image can be set objectively by choosing the thickness threshold and the equivalent mean thickness as a given proportion of the dynamic range. Preferably, the computation and the setting are done on the fly, in real time after the acquisition of the test image.

Abstract: An extrusion device (1) for manufacturing a product based on a rubber mix, which comprises a rotary roller (5), an inlet orifice (15) for the rubber mix and a vault (6) partially circumferentially covering the external surface (51) of the roller (5), the rubber mix being driven from the inlet orifice (15) into the air gap situated between the vault (6) and the roller (5) towards an extrusion orifice (21) defining the profile of the product. The extrusion orifice is delimited by a wall (20) which cooperates with the external surface (51) of the roller (5), and the vault (6) carries on its internal surface oriented towards the roller projecting threads in order to delimit with the surface (51) of the roller a chamber for plasticization of the mix, at least two of the threads extending substantially axially of the roller.

Abstract: Zeolites of type A wherein all the cationic sites of which occupied by sodium, calcium and/or magnesium, potassium and hydronium cations, which exhibit the advantage of having a water adsorption capacity≧23%, which do not adsorb and therefore cannot desorb nitrogen, and which, incorporated in polyurethane (PU) resins, make it possible to increase the potlife of the PU formulations in which they are incorporated. Such zeolites are prepared by a process comprising bringing into contact an aqueous suspension of zeolite 3A, 4A or 5A, an aqueous solution of calcium or potassium salt(s) or solutions of calcium and potassium salt(s), and an acid solution, simultaneously or otherwise and in any order; and in then filtering off and washing the solid obtained, and then drying and activating the zeolite.

Abstract: A system and method for improving the image quality of an X-ray image of a patient in a dual energy X-ray imaging system is provided. The system includes a heart cycle monitor, and X-ray emitter and an X-ray detector. A patient is positioned between the X-ray emitter and the X-ray detector. The heart cycle monitor monitors the cardiac cycle of the patient to detect a cardiac trigger. Once the cardiac trigger has been detected, the X-ray emitter emits high energy and low energy X-rays through the patient and the X-ray detector detects the emissions and forms images. The X-ray detector then performs a number of scrubs. Then the X-ray emitter acquires at least one offset image. The offset and the X-ray images are then combined to form X-ray images that may then be employed for dual energy X-ray processing.

Abstract: A method of processing dual energy images. The method includes obtaining a first image generated at a first energy level and obtaining a second image generated at a second energy level different than the first energy level. The first and second images are pre-processed and decomposed to form a raw soft-tissue image and a raw bone image. The raw soft-tissue image is post-processed to form a processed soft-tissue image and the raw bone image is post-processed to form a processed bone image. The processed soft-tissue image and the processed bone image are then display processed.

Abstract: A system and method for improved imaging of a patient through the use of low-dose exposure aided positioning is provided. The patient is positioned in the X-ray system and them imaged with a low-dose pre-shot to verify the positioning of the patient. If the patient's positioning is acceptable, the patient is then imaged with a full-dose X-ray exposure. If the patient's positioning is not acceptable, the patient is repositioned and re-imaged with a low-dose pre-shot until the patient's positioning is acceptable. The low-dose pre-shot may take the form of a low-dose X-ray imaging sequence. The present invention thus provides for rapid verification of the proper positioning of the patient in the X-ray system in order to provide for optimal X-ray image quality. Additionally, the X-ray imaging system thus minimizes the additional exposure to X-ray radiation on the part of the patient.

Abstract: A method is provided to automatically determine a structure cancelled image in a dual energy decomposition system. A high energy and a low energy level image of internal anatomy formed of at least first and second types of structure are acquired. A characteristic mask is computed using a gradient mask and a localization mask. A first cancellation parameter is evaluated against the characteristic mask, and a second cancellation parameter is computed based upon the first cancellation parameter. The first or second cancellation parameter is selected from a range in a look-up table determined by an effective kVp used to acquire the high level image and an effective kVp used to acquire the low level image. An image of soft structure and an image of hard structure are obtained from the first and second energy level images according to a cancellation equation using the first and second cancellation parameters.

Abstract: Zeolites of type A wherein all the cationic sites of which occupied by sodium, calcium and/or magnesium, potassium and hydronium cations, which exhibit the advantage of having a water adsorption capacity ≧23%, which do not adsorb and therefore cannot desorb nitrogen, and which, incorporated in polyurethane (PU) resins, make it possible to increase the potlife of the PU formulations in which they are incorporated. Such zeolites are prepared by a process comprising bringing into contact an aqueous suspension of zeolite 3A, 4A or 5A, an aqueous solution of calcium or potassium salt(s) or solutions of calcium and potassium salt(s), and an acid solution, simultaneously or otherwise and in any order; and in then filtering off and washing the solid obtained, and then drying and activating the zeolite.

Abstract: A system and method for improving the image quality of an X-ray image of a patient in a dual energy X-ray imaging system is provided. The system includes a heart cycle monitor, and X-ray emitter and an X-ray detector. A patient is positioned between the X-ray emitter and the X-ray detector. The heart cycle monitor monitors the cardiac cycle of the patient to detect a cardiac trigger. Once the cardiac trigger has been detected, the X-ray emitter emits high energy and low energy X-rays through the patient and the X-ray detector detects the emissions and forms images. The X-ray detector then performs a number of scrubs. Then the X-ray emitter acquires at least one offset image. The offset and the X-ray images are then combined to form X-ray images that may then be employed for dual energy X-ray processing.

Abstract: A method for determining a suggested value for a cancellation parameter for a dual energy decomposition includes obtaining a first energy level image of internal structure, obtaining a second, lower, energy level image of the internal structure, and iteratively processing the images to determine a provisional value for the cancellation parameter. The iteration includes varying a cancellation parameter in a cancellation equation, obtaining a structure cancelled image from the first and second energy level images according to the cancellation equation, and evaluating a cancellation metric from the structure cancelled image. The provisional cancellation parameter may then be chosen (e.g., as the value that approximately minimizes a variance cancellation metric). Further iterations may be performed around the provisional cancellation parameter to refine the provisional cancellation parameter into a final cancellation parameter.

Abstract: The invention concerns a superabsorbent composition containing a superabsorbent polymer powder, for instance polyacrylic and a zeolite powder exchanged with metal cations with bactericidal properties, in particular with silver ions. The hygiene articles incorporating them do not give off nor develop unpleasant smells though soaked with corporeal liquids.

Abstract: This invention concerns an omega type zeolite of high thermal stability, present in the form of hexagonal prismatic monocrystals having scored or plane faces of 0.1 .mu.m in edge and 0.5 to 5 .mu.m in length, this zeolite being obtained through crystallization from a mother solution containing a silica source, alumina, metallic oxide, an organic cation and water, in which the alumina source is a crystalline aluminosilicate of which at least one part is in suspension in the mother solution. In its acid form this zeolite can be used as catalyst for hydration of olefins and isomeric change of xylenes.