Abstract: Systems and methods which provide iterative multi-directional image searching are described. Embodiments utilize a multi-directional searching pattern for defining one or more searching areas within a source image. A searching area of embodiments provides a searching area within a source image for searching for a template image in the multiple directions of the multi-directional searching pattern. A location of the searching area within the source image may be updated iteratively, such as based upon motion vectors derived from the searching, until a template image match position is identified within the source image. Embodiments transform the template image and the searching area within a source image to 1D representations corresponding to each direction of the multi-directional image search. Embodiments accommodate rotation and scale variance of the subject (e.g., object of interest) of the template image within the source image.

Abstract: Methods and systems which provide object edge image representation generation using block based edgel techniques implementing post edgel detection processing to eliminate false edges are described. Embodiments subdivide image data (e.g., image point clouds) to facilitate separate edgel detection processing of a plurality of sub-blocks of the image data. A false edge elimination algorithm of embodiments is applied in recombining the object edge image representation sub-blocks resulting from the sub-block edgel detection processing to eliminate false edge artifacts associated with use of block based edgel detection.

Abstract: Methods and systems which provide object edge image representation generation using block based edgel techniques implementing post edgel detection processing to eliminate false edges are described. Embodiments subdivide image data (e.g., image point clouds) to facilitate separate edgel detection processing of a plurality of sub-blocks of the image data. A false edge elimination algorithm of embodiments is applied in recombining the object edge image representation sub-blocks resulting from the sub-block edgel detection processing to eliminate false edge artifacts associated with use of block based edgel detection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method of assessing the performance of a human or robot carrying out a medical procedure by using a phantom resembling a human or animal organ or tissue and to an assessment tool comprising such a phantom.

Abstract: The present invention provides a microfluidic device and its use for cell motility classification. The microfluidic device comprises a fluid inlet, a sample inlet and a channel connecting the fluid inlet and the sample inlet, wherein the channel comprises at least two sections of different sizes, and the channel allows fluid flow from the fluid inlet to the sample inlet.

Abstract: Ultrasonic actuator device (100) includes actuator arm arrangement (10) including first and second actuator sections (11,12), wherein the first section is arranged for coupling with support structure (50) and the second section is movable relative to the first section, and ultrasonic driver device (20) including at least one ultrasonic driver unit (21-28) coupled with at least one of first and second sections for driving actuator arm arrangement (10) and for providing movement of the second section relative to the first section, and wherein actuator arm arrangement (10) is movable with at least two degrees of freedom and the at least one ultrasonic driver unit includes an array of oscillating elements being arranged for creating an acoustic stream in an adjacent medium in response to application of ultrasound. Furthermore, an operational instrument including at least one ultrasonic actuator device (100) and a method of using the device are described.

Abstract: A micro fluidic device comprises one microstructure layer (5) and one cover layer (1), wherein the cover layer (1) is connected to the microstructure layer (5). The microstructure layer (5) comprises one bottom layer and a plurality of microstructures on it to position samples. The cover layer (1) comprises one top layer, one positioning well (6) and at least one inlet pool (4). The positioning well (6) is right above the microstructures and connected with each other. The inlet pools (4) and the positioning well (6) are connected by microchannels (3) which are formed between the microstructure layer (5) and the cover layer (1). The micro fluidic device can be applied in vitro fertilization, in determining how glial cells affect neurons, in constructing neural network and in detecting cell growth conditions.

Abstract: Ultrasonic actuator device (100) includes actuator arm arrangement (10) including first and second actuator sections (11,12), wherein the first section is arranged for coupling with support structure (50) and the second section is movable relative to the first section, and ultrasonic driver device (20) including at least one ultrasonic driver unit (21-28) coupled with at least one of first and second sections for driving actuator arm arrangement (10) and for providing movement of the second section relative to the first section, and wherein actuator arm arrangement (10) is movable with at least two degrees of freedom and the at least one ultrasonic driver unit includes an array of oscillating elements being arranged for creating an acoustic stream in an adjacent medium in response to application of ultrasound. Furthermore, an operational instrument including at least one ultrasonic actuator device (100) and a method of using the device are described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a microfluidic device and its use for cell motility classification. The microfluidic device comprises a fluid inlet, a sample inlet and a channel connecting the fluid inlet and the sample inlet, wherein the channel comprises at least two sections of different sizes, and the channel allows fluid flow from the fluid inlet to the sample inlet.

Abstract: A micro fluidic device comprises one microstructure layer (5) and one cover layer (1), wherein the cover layer (1) is connected to the microstructure layer (5). The microstructure layer (5) comprises one bottom layer and a plurality of microstructures on it to position samples. The cover layer (1) comprises one top layer, one positioning well (6) and at least one inlet pool (4). The positioning well (6) is right above the microstructures and connected with each other. The inlet pools (4) and the positioning well (6) are connected by microchannels (3) which are formed between the microstructure layer (5) and the cover layer (1). The micro fluidic device can be applied in vitro fertilization, in determining how glial cells affect neurons, in constructing neural network and in detecting cell growth conditions.

Abstract: A relatively moving surface is illuminated with a laser. Light from the laser is reflected by the surface into an array of photosensitive elements; the reflected light includes a speckle pattern. Sums are calculated for outputs of pixels perpendicular to a first dimension along which motion is to be determined. Motion along the first dimension is then determined based on spatial and temporal gradients of the calculated sums. Sums are also calculated for outputs of pixels perpendicular to a second dimension along which motion is to be determined. Motion along the second dimension is then determined based on spatial and temporal gradients of those sums. The array may be rectangular, or may contain arms separated by a pixel-free region.

Abstract: Reflected laser light having a speckle pattern is received in a pixel array. Pixel outputs are combined into series representing pixel intensities along particular dimensions at times t and t+?t. Centroids for each series can be identified, and vectors determined for movement of centroids from time t to time t+?t. Crossing points may alternatively be identified for data within each series relative to a reference value for that series, and vectors determined for movement of crossing points from time t to time t+?t. A probability analysis may be used to extract a magnitude and direction of array displacement from a distribution of movement vectors. A series of data values corresponding to time t+?t may alternatively be correlated to advanced and delayed versions of a series of data values corresponding to time t. The highest correlation is then used to determine movement.

Abstract: A relatively moving surface is illuminated with a laser. Light from the laser is reflected by the surface into an array of photosensitive elements; the reflected light includes a speckle pattern. Sums are calculated for outputs of pixels perpendicular to a first dimension along which motion is to be determined. Motion along the first dimension is then determined based on spatial and temporal gradients of the calculated sums. Sums are also calculated for outputs of pixels perpendicular to a second dimension along which motion is to be determined. Motion along the second dimension is then determined based on spatial and temporal gradients of those sums. The array may be rectangular, or may contain arms separated by a pixel-free region.