Abstract: An image data registration system and method of storing a first data set of three-dimensional image data associated with a predetermined portion of an object with reference to a first coordinate frame; obtaining and storing a second data set of three-dimensional image data associated with a surface of the predetermined portion of the object with reference to a second coordinate frame; obtaining and storing a third data set of three-dimensional image data associated with a probe in the vicinity of the predetermined portion of the object with reference to a third coordinate frame; and registering the first, second and third data sets to generate a matched image data set in which the first, second and third coordinate frames are relatively aligned with one another.

Abstract: A disposable muffin tray is used in a baking process having a baking step using a spiral oven with a water bath therein. Hot air is directed into close surface contact with the water pool and then into cross-flow relationship with the muffin trays to effect baking of muffin batter.

Abstract: A muffin tray made from modified crystalline polyethylene terephthalate has a plurality of baking wells with heat-transfer inhibiting bottoms, and protruding circumferential ridges to accommodate differential thermal expansion while limiting related distortion. The muffin tray is used in a baking process having a baking step using a spiral oven with a water bath therein. Hot air is directed into close surface contact with the water pool and then into cross-flow relationship with the muffin trays to effect baking of muffin batter.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image data registration system and method of storing a first data set of three-dimensional image data associated with a predetermined portion of an object with reference to a first coordinate frame; obtaining and storing a second data set of three-dimensional image data associated with a surface of the predetermined portion of the object with reference to a second coordinate frame; and registering the first data set and the second data set to generate a matched image data set in which the first coordinate frame is aligned with the second coordinate frame.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the optimum position of an endotracheal tube while allowing simultaneous ventilation of a patient with the endotracheal tube is disclosed. This apparatus contains a stylet, connecting means for adjustably and removably disposing the stylet within an endotracheal tube, means attached to the stylet for producing magnetic flux, and means for sensing the presence of magnetic flux.

Abstract: An optical range sensing system that includes a source (80) for producing a pulse of light directed toward an object, and a receiver that comprises a photosensitive charge integrating device (90). The receiver receives a return pulse reflected by the object, and generates a first signal having a magnitude corresponding to the integrated intensity of the return pulse. A circuit (92, 94) coupled to the receiver produces a second signal having a magnitude corresponding to the time integral of the first signal. A processor (96) determines the range of the object by determining the quotient of the magnitude of the second signal divided by the magnitude of the first signal. The photosensitive charge integrating device may be realized using a CCD array element. By including imaging optics (124) and a plurality of photosensitive charge integrating devices (126), two- and three dimensional views of the object may be obtained.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for warming intravenous equipment is disclosed. The apparatus includes at least one warming device comprised of insulated wrap material having at least one removable and reusable heat pack supported along an inner insulated surface of the wrap material. The apparatus releasably encloses intravenous equipment such as I.V. bags and/or I.V. tubing. Two such warming devices can be attached together in series so that one warming device warms the I.V. bag while the other warms a substantial length of I.V. tubing. A flexible insulated strip of material is detachably connected to the wrap material and is used to insulate portions of the I.V. infusion equipment which must be easily accessible and which are neither required nor intended to be heated. The apparatus has particular use for warming intravenous equipment used in routine or emergency pre-hospital situations, especially in cold environments.

Abstract: A scanner and scanning method for scanning a sheet such as a chart. The scanner includes scanning means and detection means. The scanning means includes means for supporting and mounting the sheet, and illumination means for directing light onto an illuminated area of the sheet, the illuminated area being elongated along a scan direction. The scanning means also includes means for causing the illuminated area to move across the sheet in a movement direction normal the scan direction. The detection means comprises a photodetector array and a coherent fiber optic bundle. The coherent fiber optic is tapered, such that it has a comparatively wide aperture adjacent the illuminated area, and a comparatively small aperture adjacent the photodetector array. In a related aspect, the illuminated area is caused to move in a first direction across the sheet such that the illumination means sequentially directs light onto a series of pixel areas of the sheet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for determining the spatial coordinates of a workpiece including: a planar light source for illuminating the workpiece; an electronic imaging device adapted to view the intersection of the planar light and the workpiece; pulse signals including pulses representative of said intersections; and a device for determining the centroid of the pulse by integrating the pulse signal over a selected interval including the pulse, integrating the result of the first integration in like manner and dividing the result of the second integration by the result of the first integration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the spatial coordinates of a workpiece including: a precisely formed jig; a planar light source; an electronic imaging device adapted to view the intersection of the planar light with the jig and the workpiece; a video digitizer for sampling and digitizing output signals from the imaging device and in particular reference pulse signals representative of said intersections; digital logic circuitry for algebraically summing video samples to determine the centroid or geometric mean of the reference pulses; and a computer for calculating calibration parameters based on knowledge of the form of the jig and scans of the jig, and applying those calibration parameters to scans of the workpiece to calculate spatial coordinates of the workpiece.