Abstract: The present invention comprises a method for preparing a mixed oxide catalyst for use in producing acrylonitrile or methacrylonitrile from propane or isobutene by ammoxidation in a gaseous phase via methods of heating or calcining precursor solid mixture to obtain mixed metal oxide catalyst compositions that exhibit catalytic activity.

Abstract: Ultrasound imaging systems and methods are described that include a cableless front end having a UltraWideBand transceiver and a beamformer that transmit ultrasound data to a back end physically separated from the front end, with the back end having a UltraWideBand transceiver for receiving ultrasound data from the front end UltraWideBand transceiver via a peer-to-peer communication protocol. The back end unit can also receive and transmit commands to and from the front end unit to select an image mode and has a signal processor and scan converter that can convert ultrasound data into image data for display. An input device in the front end allows the operator to selectively display ultrasound data or patient data on an auxiliary worn display or the nearest local display.

Abstract: A virtual interactive ultrasound training system for training medical personnel in the practical skills of performing ultrasound scans, including recognizing specific anatomies and pathologies.

Abstract: A freehand 3-D imaging system includes an integrated sensor configuration that provides position and orientation of each 2D imaging plane used for 3-D reconstruction without the need for external references. The position sensors communicate with the imaging system using either wired and wireless means. At least one translational and one angular sensor or three translational sensors acquire data utilized to compute position tags associated with 2D ultrasound image scan frames. The sensors can be built into the ultrasound transducer or can be reversibly connected and therefore retrofitted to existing imaging probes for freehand 3D imaging.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method for preparing a mixed oxide catalyst for use in producing acrylonitrile or methacrylonitrile from propane or isobutene by ammoxidation in a gaseous phase via methods of heating or calcining precursor solid mixture to obtain mixed metal oxide catalyst compositions that exhibit catalytic activity.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of unreacted ammonia from the effluent from a reaction zone used to produce acrylonitrile or methacrylonitrile comprising quenching the reactor effluent with an aqueous solution of ammonium phosphate in at least two stages, thereby capturing the ammonia component of the effluent. The captured ammonia may be recovered by heating the aqueous ammonium phosphate, which then may be recycled. Contaminants present in the aqueous ammonium phosphate may be removed, for example by solvent extraction or wet oxidation, prior to recycle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving transducer response sensitivity in an ultrasound-imaging system are disclosed. One method includes selecting a desired transmit spectrum, quantifying the transmit channel impulse response, calculating a drive signal that when applied to the transmit channel will produce the desired transmit spectrum and applying the drive signal to the transducer. The method may be applied in principle to the receive channels. An improved ultrasound-imaging system in accordance with the invention includes a transducer and a switch controlled to apply an excitation signal to the transducer in a transmit mode of the ultrasound-imaging system. A signal shaper is configured to generate an excitation signal in response to the impulse response of the transmit channel such that a desired ultrasound energy waveform is generated by the transducer. An adaptable filter responsive to a desired echo spectrum and the impulse response of the receive channel of the system may be included.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving transducer response sensitivity in an ultrasound-imaging system are disclosed. One method includes selecting a desired transmit spectrum, quantifying the transmit channel impulse response, calculating a drive signal that when applied to the transmit channel will produce the desired transmit spectrum and applying the drive signal to the transducer. The method may be applied in principle to the receive channels. An improved ultrasound-imaging system in accordance with the invention includes a transducer and a switch controlled to apply an excitation signal to the transducer in a transmit mode of the ultrasound-imaging system. A signal shaper is configured to generate an excitation signal in response to the impulse response of the transmit channel such that a desired ultrasound energy waveform is generated by the transducer. An adaptable filter responsive to a desired echo spectrum and the impulse response of the receive channel of the system may be included.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving transducer response sensitivity in an ultrasound-imaging system are disclosed. A preferred method generally includes the steps of: selecting a desired transmit spectrum; quantifying the transmit channel impulse response; calculating a drive signal that when applied to the transmit channel will produce the desired transmit spectrum; and applying the drive signal to the transducer. Other methods include selecting a desired echo response spectrum; quantifying a receive channel impulse response; formulating a filter that when applied to received ultrasound echo signals will produce the desired echo response spectrum; and applying the filter.

Abstract: Passband distortion due to mass loading in withdrawal weighted surface acoustic wave transducers is substantially reduced by a thinning technique in which interdigital transducer electrodes are selectively withdrawn to synthesize a response function H.sub.o '(N). H.sub.o '(N) is a modified response function that has been scaled from a desired response function H.sub.o (N) by a thinning factor THIN. THIN is a positive, non-zero constant with a maximum value of unity. Thinned withdrawal weighted transducers fabricated in accordance with the technique have electrode weights that are normalized to less than unity and achieve mass loading reduction with a minimum amount of degradation of the desired response function.

Abstract: A handheld, compact, self-contained transducer unit for electromagnetic generation and detection of ultrasound on or in metals and other media is realized by mounting short, flat cable sections directly on a small, powerful permanent magnet. The cable sections are interconnected in an electromagnetic transducer circuit configuration and the plane of the flat cable transducer circuit structure is perpendicular to the magnet magnetization axis. Fabrication of the device can be accomplished by selectively connecting the conductor ends of a flat strip electrical conductor segment and affixing the conductor segment to an appropriate surface of a samarium-cobalt permanent magnet.