Abstract: In one aspect of the present technique, an array of electromagnetic sensors is positioned within a volume of interest. In the presence of an electromagnetic field, the array of electromagnetic sensors is sampled to acquire signals representative of the location of the electromagnetic sensors in the array. The electromagnetic field distortion within the volume of interest is determined based on the acquired signals. In another aspect of the present technique, a system for detecting electromagnetic field distortions includes an electromagnetic sensor assembly for positioning within a volume of interest, a plurality of electromagnetic sensors for transmitting or receiving signals representative of the location of the electromagnetic sensors on the sensor assembly; and a tracker. In another aspect of the present technique, an electromagnetic sensor assembly for detecting electromagnetic field distortion includes a body, and an array of electromagnetic sensors positioned on the body.

Abstract: A system for communicating video data is described. The system includes a mobile imaging system, at least one monitor fixed to a room in a medical facility, and a video transmitter assembly coupled to the mobile imaging system to transmit a video signal. The system for communicating video data also includes a video receiver assembly coupled to the at least one monitor to receive the video signal and display the video signal on the at least one monitor.

Abstract: A coordinate measurement instrument includes an optical distance measurement device (200, 300) for measuring the distance from an auxiliary measurement means (5) which can move in space, a zoom camera (106), which can rotate with respect to at least two axes, with a zoom lens, and an overview camera (104) for coarse localization of the auxiliary measurement means (5). A light exit and light receiving optical system (101, 102) of the distance measurement device (200, 300), the zoom camera (106) and the overview camera (104) are arranged on a shared carrier (1) which can rotate with respect to at least two axes (A, Z). The optical axis (111) of the distance measurement device (200, 300) and the optical axis of the overview camera (104), preferably extend coaxially outside the coordinate measurement instrument.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical sensor element for a measuring machine, comprising a coupling element on the sensor element side for mechanically and optically connecting to a coupling element on the measuring machine side. An optical fiber is arranged in the coupling element on the sensor element side, wherein said optical fiber comprises an optical interface for connecting to an optical machine contact element of the measuring machine, wherein said optical interface is formed by an optical sensor contact element having a self-centering ferrule that encloses the end of the optical fiber. The ferrule is supported in the coupling element on the sensor element side in a floating manner.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical sensor with collision protection for a measurement machine, in particular for a coordinate measurement machine. The optical sensor comprises a sensor-side coupling part for mechanically and optically connecting to the measurement machine, and a sensor element. According to the invention, the sensor comprises a sensor protective coupling as collision protection, said protective coupling comprising a coupling part on the measurement machine side and a coupling part on the sensor element side, wherein a fiber optic cable is routed between the coupling parts of the sensor protective coupling and wherein a fiber optic cable protection element surrounds the fiber optic cable, wherein the ends of the fiber optic cable protection element are fastened to the associated coupling part of the sensor protective coupling.

Abstract: A navigation system for use during a surgical procedure is provided. The navigation system is configured to use electromagnetic tracking data produced by electromagnetic tracking devices and 2D image data produced by a fluoroscope to intra-operatively register 2D images of a patient to a pre-operative 3D image of the patient. In some implementations, a surgeon may be able to perform an interventional or surgical procedure guided by the navigation system.

Abstract: A laser scanner for detecting spatial surroundings comprises a stator (21), a rotor (1), mounted on the stator (21) to be rotatable about a first rotational axis, and a rotary body (2), mounted on the rotor (1) to be rotatable about a second rotational axis. A laser source (6) and a detector (7) are arranged in the rotor (1). One optical link (9) each is configured on the second rotational axis on every side of the rotary body (2) between the rotor (1) and the rotary body (2) so that emission light can be introduced by the laser source into the rotary body (2) via the first optical link (8) and reception light can be discharge from the rotary body (2) via the second optical link (9). A first rotary drive (25) drives the rotor (21) and a second rotary drive (26) drives the rotary body (2). Two goniometers (4) and evaluation electronics (5) which are connected to the laser source (6) and the detector (7) allow association of a detected distance with a corresponding direction.

Abstract: In a distance-measuring method comprising a distance-measuring apparatus having at least one frequency-modulatable laser source for producing chirped laser radiation. The laser radiation has radiation components with opposite chirp as time dependency of the modulated wavelengths, the simultaneous oppositeness of the frequency curve being realized via an optical delay path (3) for one of the two radiation components. The radiation produced is passed in a measuring interferometer (5) to a target (6) and parallel via a local Oscillator. After reception of the laser radiation scattered back from the target (6) and passed via the local oscillator path, the laser radiation received is converted into signals and the distance to the at least one target (6) is determined from the signals on the basis of interferometric mixing.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for monitoring environmental conditions of a perishable product. The system includes an environmental sensor configured to sense one or more environmental conditions of the perishable product and an analog integrator in communication with the environmental sensor, the analog integrator being formed on a polymer substrate and including one or more tunable components. The system also includes a comparator in communication with the analog integrator and configured to change state when an output of the analog integrator reaches a selected threshold level, and a control module in communication with the comparator and the analog integrator. The control module is configured to control the operation of the analog integrator based on an output of the comparator.

Abstract: In a method for gauging surfaces (7?), in which a frequency-modulated laser beam is generated, the laser beam is emitted onto the surface as measuring radiation (MS), the measuring radiation (MS) backscattered from the surface (7?) is received and the distance between a reference point and the surface (7?) is measured interferometrically, wherein the measuring radiation (MS) is emitted and received while the surface to be gauged is being scanned, and a measuring arm and a reference interferometer arm with a partially common beam path are used, deviations from the essentially perpendicular impingement of the measuring radiation (MS) on the surface (7?) are taken into account algorithmically during distance measurement and/or are avoided or reduced during scanning by controlling the emission of the measuring radiation (MS).

Abstract: A planar sensor array for use in a surgical navigation system comprising at least one substrate and at two layers of a plurality of planar sensor coils formed on or within the at least one insulating substrate. The planar sensor array may be an electromagnetic planar transmitter coil array or an electromagnetic planar receiver coil array that includes at two layers of a plurality of planar electromagnetic transmitter or receiver spiral-shaped coils formed on or within the at least one substrate. The surgical navigation system includes the use of at least one magnetoresistance reference sensor attached to a fixed object; at least one magnetoresistance sensor attached to an object being tracked; and a planar sensor coil array communicating with the at least one magnetoresistance reference sensor and the at least one magnetoresistance sensor to determine the position and orientation of the object being tracked.

Abstract: An electro-optical range finder (4) having a trapezoidal laser (1) as a laser source, a laser source controller (6) for generating pulsed laser radiation, receiving optics (7) and a detector (8) with an evaluation unit (9) for receiving and evaluating the measuring radiation (RS) reflected by a target (ZI), in order to measure distance, has a separate supply for the guided waveguide region (2) and the trapezoidal region (3) as well as transmitting optics (5) with astigmatism compensation and for collimating the laser radiation.

Abstract: A coordinate measurement instrument includes an optical distance measurement device (200, 300) for measuring the distance from an auxiliary measurement means (5) which can move in space, a zoom camera (106), which can rotate with respect to at least two axes, with a zoom lens, and an overview camera (104) for coarse localization of the auxiliary measurement means (5). A light exit and light receiving optical system (101, 102) of the distance measurement device (200, 300), the zoom camera (106) and the overview camera (104) are arranged on a shared carrier (1) which can rotate with respect to at least two axes (A, Z). The optical axis (111) of the distance measurement device (200, 300) and the optical axis of the overview camera (104), preferably extend coaxially outside the coordinate measurement instrument.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a system with a container and a tool holder (20) with two ends (21, 22). One of the ends of the tool holder (20) is adapted for being secured to a machine tool and the other end is adapted for attaching a cutting edge or a cutting edge carrying unit. The tool holder (20) includes an internal cavity (23) surrounded by a cavity wall. The cavity (23) accommodates the container (1). One end (21) of the cavity (23) is adapted for connection to a supply for a cooling medium and the other end (22) is connected to an outlet for cooling medium. The cavity (23) furthermore includes an opening (25) for installation of the container (1). At least one gap for leading the cooling medium is formed between the container (1) and the cavity wall. Furthermore, it is described a container (1) for installation in a machine tool, and use of the container for accommodating one or several sensor for measuring parameters or for receiving a damping system.

Abstract: A surgical navigation system having one or more wireless magnetoresistance sensors, where the sensors have the noise and dynamic range appropriate for position and orientation tracking. The surgical navigation system comprising at least one wireless magnetoresistance reference sensor rigidly attached to at least one anatomical reference of a patient, at least one wireless magnetoresistance sensor attached to at least one device, and at least one processor for determining the position and orientation of the at least one device.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some embodiments, a mobile imaging device includes one or more motors to propel the mobile imaging device.

Abstract: A distance measuring method for detecting the spatial dimension of at least one target by at least one emission of a multiplicity of light pulses, in particular laser light, towards the target, detecting the light pulse scattered back by the target by means of a multiplicity of distance measuring pixels and eliminating the distance to the target for each pixel, wherein each light pulse can be detected within a measuring interval Ti from at least two partial intervals tij and the detection of at least one repetition constitutes a detection step performed in at least two stages wherein the measuring interval T˜ is shortened from stage to stage.

Abstract: A laser scanner for detecting spatial surroundings comprises a stator (21), a rotor (1), mounted on the stator (21) to be rotatable about a first rotational axis, and a rotary body (2), mounted on the rotor (1) to be rotatable about a second rotational axis. A laser source (6) and a detector (7) are arranged in the rotor (1). One optical link (9) each is configured on the second rotational axis on every side of the rotary body (2) between the rotor (1) and the rotary body (2) so that emission light can be introduced by the laser source into the rotary body (2) via the first optical link (8) and reception light can be discharge from the rotary body (2) via the second optical link (9). A first rotary drive (25) drives the rotor (21) and a second rotary drive (26) drives the rotary body (2). Two goniometers (4) and evaluation electronics (5) which are connected to the laser source (6) and the detector (7) allow association of a detected distance with a corresponding direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for progressive multi-resolution three-dimensional image reconstruction using region of interest information. The method and system significantly reduces the amount of time required to display high quality three-dimensional fluoroscopic images by utilizing progressive multi-resolution image reconstruction techniques. In addition, by employing manual or automated selection of one or more regions of interest in which to focus the progressive image reconstruction, high quality 3D images of region(s) of interest may be obtained soon after image data acquisition.