Abstract: Digitization of a 3-D object is provided by surrounding the object with flowable probes whose positions may be accurately determined. By identifying at least those flowable probes adjacent to the outer surface of the object, a locus of points on the outer surface of the object may be determined from which the object shape may be defined in a model.

Abstract: Fluorescent markers used to identify a tissue may be imaged in a bright environment by synchronizing the imaging process with rapidly switched ambient lighting so that imaging occurs in phase with a switching off of the ambient lighting. In this way, valuable fluorescent imaging may be performed in an environment that appears to be brightly illuminated, for example in the area of a surgical suite.

Abstract: A wind power generation assembly having a rotatable base. Attached to the base are a plurality of arcuate panels that surround a turbine assembly. The center axis of the base and the center axis of the turbine assembly are offset. The panels are positioned to capture the wind and redirect the wind energy to the turbine assembly.

Abstract: Digitization of a 3-D object is provided by surrounding the object with flowable probes whose positions may be accurately determined. By identifying at least those flowable probes adjacent to the outer surface of the object, a locus of points on the outer surface of the object may be determined from which the object shape may be defined in a model.

Abstract: A CT machine for scanning a stationary patient may provide for two-bar linkage articulated arms to move a CT gantry in an arbitrary trajectory. In one embodiment, the gantry may fit within a cavity to expose a central platform, which may support a patient for vertical scans in which the gantry housing rises from the cavity after the patient is so positioned.

Abstract: A CT machine for scanning a stationary patient may provide for two-bar linkage articulated arms to move a CT gantry in an arbitrary trajectory. In one embodiment, the gantry may fit within a cavity to expose a central platform, which may support a patient for vertical scans in which the gantry housing rises from the cavity after the patient is so positioned.

Abstract: Fluorescent markers used to identify a tissue may be imaged in a bright environment by synchronizing the imaging process with rapidly switched ambient lighting so that imaging occurs in phase with a switching off of the ambient lighting. In this way, valuable fluorescent imaging may be performed in an environment that appears to be brightly illuminated, for example in the area of a surgical suite.

Abstract: A wind power generation assembly having a rotatable base. Attached to the base are a plurality of arcuate panels that surround a turbine assembly. The center axis of the base and the center axis of the turbine assembly are offset. The panels are positioned to capture the wind and redirect the wind energy to the turbine assembly.

Abstract: A pen-type mouse includes a shoe that is movable with respect to a flat surface, an elongated body, and a joint connecting the shoe and the body such that the body is at least partially rotatable with respect to the shoe about a first axis that is generally parallel to the flat surface and about a second axis that is also generally parallel to the flat surface, but is prevented from rotating about a third axis that is generally perpendicular to the flat surface. The pen-type mouse can include a position detection module for determining a position of the shoe at each of a plurality of times as the shoe is moved, and a link for communicating the determined positions to a computing device.

Abstract: The energy crisis that has long been accepted in the scientific community is being embraced by society along with an increasing sense of environmental responsibility. Solar will be a large part of the renewable energy revolution. Solar harnessing technology has primarily focused on solar farms or on off-grid, residential use and mostly on warm, dry climates that have high percentages of clear sky. Cooler, wetter climates have seen less research and resources dedicated to solutions and indeed have a different set of requirements than for traditional desert solar farms. This invention provides a simple tracking solar solution that combines both concentrated photovoltaic CPV and traditional photovoltaic (PV), although the solution can use only CPV or PV. The invention reduces the structural and drive demands by shielding the solar collecting mechanisms inside an enclosure and then connecting the collecting mechanisms in synchronous arrays.

Abstract: A small field radiation therapy machine having an aperture diameter of 30 cm or less provides improved ray definition for specialized treatment of portions of the human body such as head a breast.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the operation of a medical device including a movable portion and a controller for controlling the movable portion. The system includes a motion verification device directly coupled to the movable portion. The system is configured to determine motion data for the motion verification device. In one method of operation, the method includes moving the movable portion, determining motion data for the motion verification device, and monitoring the motion data.

Abstract: A system and method of defining a new region of interest for an existing region of interest using a dose volume histogram. The method includes the acts of generating a dose volume histogram of radiation dose for a pre-existing region of interest, selecting a subset of the dose volume histogram, and defining a new region of interest that corresponds to the selected subset of the dose volume histogram.

Abstract: A system and method of evaluating dose delivered by a radiation therapy system using a marker that indicates motion. The marker is associated with the patient. In one method of operation, the method includes delivering radiation to the patient, monitoring motion of the marker during the delivering radiation, and evaluating a dose delivered to the patient based at least in part on the motion of the marker. In another method of operation, the method includes delivering radiation to the patient, obtaining information relating to the delivery of radiation, estimating dose to the marker based at least in part on the information, acquiring dose received by the marker, and comparing the received dose with the estimated dose.

Abstract: Systems and methods for utilizing remote access to a radiation therapy treatment system. Remote access to the radiation therapy treatment system can assist in providing quality assurance processes, service and maintenance procedures, patient monitoring, and statistical analysis.

Abstract: A system for and method of delivering radiation therapy to a moving region of interest is disclosed. The method, in one implementation, includes the acts of generating a plurality of treatment plans for providing radiation therapy, delivering radiation therapy to the patient following one of the plurality of treatment plans, monitoring the patient while providing radiation therapy, and changing the treatment plan based at least in part on monitoring the patient.

Abstract: System and method of evaluating quality assurance criteria related to the delivery of a radiation therapy treatment plan. The method includes the acts of acquiring image data of a patient, generating a treatment plan for the patient based at least in part on the image data, the treatment plan including a calculated radiation dose to be delivered to the patient, acquiring an on-line image of the patient in substantially a treatment position, delivering at least a portion of the calculated radiation dose to the patient, monitoring quality assurance criteria related to the delivery of the treatment plan, calculating the radiation dose received by the patient, and determining whether delivery of the treatment plan occurred as intended based on the quality assurance criteria and the radiation dose received by the patient.

Abstract: A system and method of adapting a radiation therapy treatment plan. The method includes the acts of preparing a treatment plan for a patient, acquiring images of the patient, performing deformable registration of the images, acquiring data relating to a radiation dose delivered to the patient, applying a biological model relating the radiation dose delivered and a patient effect, and adapting the radiation therapy treatment plan based on the deformable registration and the biological model.

Abstract: A system and method of predicting a radiation dose to be delivered to a patient. The method includes the acts of generating a first image of at least a portion of the patient, defining a treatment plan for the patient, generating a second image of at least a portion of the patient while the patient is substantially in a treatment position, updating the patient profile with the second image, and predicting the radiation dose to be delivered to the patient based upon the patient profile and the treatment plan.

Abstract: A system and method of evaluating a radiation dose delivered to a patient receiving radiation therapy. The method includes the acts of generating a time-based series of patient images, collecting a time-based series of data indicating patient motion, and evaluating a radiation dose delivered to the patient based upon the time-based series of patient images and the time-based series of data.