Abstract: A method is described for operating an ignition system for an internal combustion engine, including a primary voltage generator and a boost converter for maintaining a spark generated with the aid of the primary voltage generator. An ascertainment of a modified energy requirement for an ignition spark to be maintained with the aid of the boost converter is followed by a modification of a switch-on time of the boost converter relative to a switch-off time of the primary voltage generator.

Abstract: An electrical connection configuration, e.g., for an ignition coil, includes: an enameled wire sheathed in insulating enamel, and a contact element for the electrical contacting of the enameled wire, the contact element having a contact region for the electrical contacting of the enameled wire. The contact region has at least one sharp edge, and the enameled wire is routed along the sharp edge, such that a region of the enameled wire stripped of the enamel is provided, which rests against the contact region of the contact element for the electrical contacting.

Abstract: An ignition system includes: a step-up transformer having a primary side and a secondary side; an electric energy source which is able to be connected to the primary side; a spark gap, which is designed to carry a current transferred to the secondary side by the step-up transformer. The step-up transformer has a bypass for transferring electric energy from the electric energy source to the secondary side. The bypass is designed to support a decaying electrical signal in the secondary coil of the high-voltage generator as of a predefined time, or as of a predefined intensity of the current being reached.

Abstract: An ignition system includes: a step-up transformer having a primary side and a secondary side; an electrical energy source configured to be selectably connected to the primary side; a spark gap which is configured to guide a current transferred by the step-up transformer to the secondary side. The step-up transformer has a bypass for transferring electrical energy from the electrical energy source to the secondary side. The ignition system is configured to couple electrical energy in series or in parallel to the secondary side of the high voltage generator for the purpose of maintaining an ignition spark as an electrical voltage in the form of a controlled pulse sequence, e.g., within the kilo-hertz range.

Abstract: A system and tuning method to collaboratively calibrate high voltage DAC values and Photomultiplier Tube DAC values of photomultiplier tubes of a gamma camera so that the detector produces a valid energy spectrum over the entire detector surface. A method for tuning a gamma camera having a plurality of photosensors, exposes the photosensors to scintillation photons corresponding to nuclear radiation of known energy; measures an energy output corresponding to each specific photosensor; calculates an average enemy output of all photosensors in the camera; collaboratively adjusts a DAC value corresponding to a voltage applied to a specific photosensor and a DACHV value corresponding to a high voltage applied to the camera based on the calculated average energy, energy output of each photosensor, and a target energy value corresponding to said known energy; and repeats the calibration until convergence is achieved between the average energy, energy output, and target energy.

Abstract: An electrical connection configuration, e.g., for an ignition coil, includes: an enameled wire sheathed in insulating enamel, and a contact element for the electrical contacting of the enameled wire, the contact element having a contact region for the electrical contacting of the enameled wire. The contact region has at least one sharp edge, and the enameled wire is routed along the sharp edge, such that a region of the enameled wire stripped of the enamel is provided, which rests against the contact region of the contact element for the electrical contacting.

Abstract: A phantom for co-registering a magnetic resonance image and a nuclear medical image is disclosed. The phantom includes a longitudinal member having a first end cap and a second end cap and a chamber contained within the longitudinal member. The chamber contains a fluid for producing a first image using a first imaging modality. The phantom further includes a first rod disposed within the chamber of the longitudinal member. The first rod contains a radioactive substance for producing a second image using a second imaging modality.

Abstract: A method for producing a coil, in particular an ignition coil for a motor vehicle, in which a primary winding is wound onto a winding mandrel. Then the winding mandrel is introduced into a housing of the coil and the winding mandrel then is removed from the housing, the primary winding remaining inside the housing. Finally, additional components of the coil, in particular a secondary coil shell onto which a secondary winding has been wound, are introduced into the housing, so that the secondary winding is concentrically disposed within the primary winding while dispensing with a separate primary coil shell. The method allows a design of the coil that is more compact in diameter.

Abstract: A method for optimizing the scanning trajectory of a radiation detector device, e.g., a SPECT scanning device, about an object generally includes: obtaining object image data using a different imaging modality, e.g., a CT scanning device, determining a maximum object boundary based on the image data, calculating an optimal scan trajectory of the SPECT scanning device relative to the object based on the maximum object boundary, scanning the object with the SPECT scanning device along the optimal scan trajectory to detect gamma photons emanating from the object, from which an image can be reconstructed from the detected gamma photons. Preferably, the SPECT device includes at least two detectors arranged at a pre-selected angle relative to one another and the optimal scan trajectory minimizes the distance between the detectors and the object while maximizing the geometric efficiency of the detectors relative to the object.

Abstract: A mobile detector system for use in the detection of radiation photons. The detector system includes an exterior casing, having an internal area. The internal area has an interior periphery and an exterior periphery, at least one rail, at least one mobile camera, that is movably mounted on the at least one rail, and at least one motor. The motor drives at least one mobile camera, and the at least one mobile camera is movable along at least one rail within the exterior casing, to a plurality of radiation receiving positions.

Abstract: A system and tuning method to collaboratively calibrate high voltage DAC values and Photomultiplier Tube DAC values of photomultiplier tubes of a gamma camera so that the detector produces a valid energy spectrum over the entire detector surface. A method for tuning a gamma camera having a plurality of photosensors, exposes the photosensors to scintillation photons corresponding to nuclear radiation of known energy; measures an energy output corresponding to each specific photosensor; calculates an average enemy output of all photosensors in the camera; collaboratively adjusts a DAC value corresponding to a voltage applied to a specific photosensor and a DACHV value corresponding to a high voltage applied to the camera based on the calculated average energy, energy output of each photosensor, and a target energy value corresponding to said known energy; and repeats the calibration until convergence is achieved between the average energy, energy output, and target energy.

Abstract: Attenuation correction data is obtained from one or more transmission sources to calculate the attenuation factors of a reconstruction area of an object being imaged by a nuclear medicine apparatus, such as a SPECT gamma camera. The transmission sources are capable of swiveling the direction of the transmission to correspond with the direction of capture of the gamma detectors. Additionally, the transmission sources are capable of linear movement to correspond with any linear movement of the detectors. The transmission sources are able to follow the same path as the detectors in order to determine the attenuation factors through the same reconstruction area being scanned by the detectors.

Abstract: A method for producing a coil, in particular an ignition coil for a motor vehicle, in which a primary winding is wound onto a winding mandrel. Then the winding mandrel is introduced into a housing of the coil and the winding mandrel then is removed from the housing, the primary winding remaining inside the housing. Finally, additional components of the coil, in particular a secondary coil shell onto which a secondary winding has been wound, are introduced into the housing, so that the secondary winding is concentrically disposed within the primary winding while dispensing with a separate primary coil shell. The method allows a design of the coil that is more compact in diameter.

Abstract: A method for optimizing the scanning trajectory of a radiation detector device, e.g., a SPECT scanning device, about an object generally includes: obtaining object image data using a different imaging modality, e.g., a CT scanning device, determining a maximum object boundary based on the image data, calculating an optimal scan trajectory of the SPECT scanning device relative to the object based on the maximum object boundary, scanning the object with the SPECT scanning device along the optimal scan trajectory to detect gamma photons emanating from the object, from which an image can be reconstructed from the detected gamma photons. Preferably, the SPECT device includes at least two detectors arranged at a pre-selected angle relative to one another and the optimal scan trajectory minimizes the distance between the detectors and the object while maximizing the geometric efficiency of the detectors relative to the object.

Abstract: A non-circular-orbit detection method and apparatus is disclosed. In some embodiments, the method includes: locating first and second detectors, displaced with respect to one another, a distance from a patient; moving the first and second detectors in a direction towards the patient until a first sensor senses a first point of the patient at a first sensing position; moving the first and second detectors in a second direction from the first sensing position until a second sensor senses a second point of the patient at a second sensing position; and moving the first and second detectors in a non-circular-orbit around the patient. Preferably, the method includes determining the non-circular-orbit based on, among other things, locations of the first point and the second point.

Abstract: A mobile detector system for use in the detection of radiation photons. The detector system includes an exterior casing, having an internal area. The internal area has an interior periphery and an exterior periphery, at least one rail, at least one mobile camera, that is movably mounted on the at least one rail, and at least one motor. The motor drives at least one mobile camera, and the at least one mobile camera is movable along at least one rail within the exterior casing, to a plurality of radiation receiving positions.

Abstract: Attenuation correction data is obtained from one or more transmission sources to calculate the attenuation factors of a reconstruction area of an object being imaged by a nuclear medicine apparatus, such as a SPECT gamma camera. The transmission sources are capable of swiveling the direction of the transmission to correspond with the direction of capture of the gamma detectors. Additionally, the transmission sources are capable of linear movement to correspond with any linear movement of the detectors. The transmission sources are able to follow the same path as the detectors in order to determine the attenuation factors through the same reconstruction area being scanned by the detectors.

Abstract: A non-circular-orbit detection method and apparatus is disclosed. In some embodiments, the method includes: locating first and second detectors, displaced with respect to one another, a distance from a patient; moving the first and second detectors in a direction towards the patient until a first sensor senses a first point of the patient at a first sensing position; moving the first and second detectors in a second direction from the first sensing position until a second sensor senses a second point of the patient at a second sensing position; and moving the first and second detectors in a non-circular-orbit around the patient. Preferably, the method includes determining the non-circular-orbit based on, among other things, locations of the first point and the second point.

Abstract: A nuclear medicine gantry is provided and includes a ring defining a central longitudinal axis. The nuclear medicine gantry further includes at least one detector head mounted to the ring. The at least one detector head is rotatable about the longitudinal axis, movable in radial directions relative to the longitudinal axis, movable in tangential directions relative to a circle whose center is coincident with the longitudinal axis, and pivotable about a first pivot axis which is parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A planarizing heat sink plate having a top portion and a bottom portion is provided. The heat sink plate includes a plurality of receiving means formed therethrough and operable to receive a module ejection device, and at least one removing means formed therethrough and operable to receive a driving device. Also included is at least one planarizing projection formed on the bottom portion and adapted to receive a radiographic sensor module. The at least one removing means is disposed between the plurality of receiving means, and the at least one planarizing projection corresponds to the at least one removing means. The heat sink plate is a multi-functional device that can aid in forming an efficient radiographic detector head comprising a plurality of radiographic sensor modules in the same plane, safely removing the radiographic sensor modules, and conducting heat away from the radiographic sensor modules.