Abstract: A system is provided for determining the position of an interventional device inside a lumen. The interventional device comprises a distal portion inside the lumen and a proximal portion outside the lumen and the system comprises a processor. The processor is configured to receive a first estimated position of the distal portion of the interventional device inside the lumen from a first system and receive an estimated displacement of the distal portion of the interventional device inside a lumen from a second system, wherein the estimated displacement is representative of the movement of the distal portion of the interventional device inside the lumen. The processor is further configured to determine a second estimated position of the distal portion of the interventional device inside the lumen based on the first estimated position and the estimated displacement.

Abstract: A tracking system for tracking a marker device for being attached to a medical device is provided, whereby the marker device includes a sensing unit comprising a magnetic object which may be excited by an external magnetic or electromagnetic excitation field into a mechanical oscillation of the magnetic object, and the tracking system comprises a field generator for generating a predetermined magnetic or electromagnetic excitation field for inducing mechanical oscillations of the magnetic object, a transducer for transducing a magnetic or electromagnetic field generated by the induced mechanical oscillations of the magnetic object into one or more electrical response signals, and a position determination unit for determining the position of the marker device on the basis of the one or more electrical response signals.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ultrasound array comprising a plurality of ultrasound transducer elements (20) on a carrier (10), said carrier further carrying an actuator arrangement (30, 30?) of a material having an adjustable shape in response to an electromagnetic stimulus, e.g. an electro active polymer or optically responsive polymer, wherein the material is arranged to change the orientation of said ultrasound transducer elements in response to said stimulus. This facilitates configurable beam shaping and/or body contour matching with the ultrasound array. An ultrasound system (100) comprising such an ultrasound array is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides for a method of operating an instrument (100). The instrument comprises a magnetic resonance system (102) for measuring dictionary magnetic resonance data (154) from a measurement zone (108). The magnetic resonance system comprises a magnet (104) for generating a main magnetic field within the measurement zone. The magnetic resonance system comprises a test fixture (124) for holding a test sample (132) within the measurement zone. The test fixture comprises a supplementary magnetic field coil (126) and a magnetic resonance antenna (128).

Abstract: The invention provides for a method of operating an instrument (100). The instrument comprises a magnetic resonance system (102) for measuring dictionary magnetic resonance data (154) from a measurement zone (108). The magnetic resonance system comprises a magnet (104) for generating a main magnetic field within the measurement zone. The magnetic resonance system comprises a test fixture (124) for holding a test sample (132) within the measurement zone. The test fixture comprises a supplementary magnetic field coil (126) and a magnetic resonance antenna (128).

Abstract: Disclosed is an ultrasound array comprising a plurality of ultrasound transducer elements (20) on a carrier (10), said carrier further carrying an actuator arrangement (30, 30?) of a material having an adjustable shape in response to an electromagnetic stimulus, e.g. an electro active polymer or optically responsive polymer, wherein the material is arranged to change the orientation of said ultrasound transducer elements in response to said stimulus. This facilitates configurable beam shaping and/or body contour matching with the ultrasound array. An ultrasound system (100) comprising such an ultrasound array is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for providing integrated guidance for positioning a needle in a body has two levels of guidance: a coarse guidance and a fine guidance. The system includes a non-invasive tracking system for tracing the biopsy device in the body, for providing the coarse guidance. Furthermore, the system includes an optical detector mounted on the needle for obtaining optical information discriminating tissue in the body, for providing the fine guidance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cooling and capturing energy in an electronic device using photovoltaic cells is disclosed. A power supply powers electronic components inside the electronic device. The electronic components produce heat and infrared energy. The photovoltaic cells convert the infrared energy into an electric current to reduce the overall heat level of the electronic device. A power recovery circuit conditions the electric current into a conditioned power signal usable by a system power path manager of the electronic device. The system power path manager uses the converted infrared energy to power the electronic device and/or to charge an energy storage unit.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems which provide buttons oriented at angles relative to each other as a part of a multiple function switch are described. In one embodiment, the multiple function switch is part of an inline controller that is suitable for use to control features or functions of a portable electronic device. A multiple function switch may be incorporated in a cable associated with an earpiece arranged to be interfaced with a portable electronic device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a media device docking station having one or more acoustic channels to transfer sound to or from the media device while the media device is docked with the docking station.

Abstract: A mobile computing device and an accessory device are individually equipped with features and components that enable magnetic coupling of the two devices. Specific embodiments provide for the use of one or more horseshoe magnets for use in the magnetic coupling mechanisms. As an addition or alternative, electromagnetic coupling may be used to selectively maintain and/or orient the two devices in a mated position.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein include a computing device that is capable of inductive signal transfer with other computing devices. Such computing devices are provided a shield that protects the device and other components from electromagnetic interference and unwanted electrical affects resulting from the inductive signal transfer.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems which provide buttons oriented at angles relative to each other as a part of a multiple function switch are described. In one embodiment, the multiple function switch is part of an inline controller that is suitable for use to control features or functions of a portable electronic device. A multiple function switch may be incorporated in a cable associated with an earpiece arranged to be interfaced with a portable electronic device.

Abstract: A docking system is disclosed. The docking system includes a single docking station and a plurality of inserts that are placed in the docking station so that the docking station can accommodate hand held devices with differing sizes and shapes. The docking system is configured with a docking station and insert that matingly engage with one another via a rotating action. The docking system is also configured with a latching retention mechanism that secures the insert to the docking station when the insert is rotated into engagement with the docking station.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cooling and capturing energy in an electronic device using photovoltaic cells is disclosed. A power supply powers electronic components inside the electronic device. The electronic components produce heat and infrared energy. The photovoltaic cells convert the infrared energy into an electric current to reduce the overall heat level of the electronic device. A power recovery circuit conditions the electric current into a conditioned power signal usable by a system power path manager of the electronic device. The system power path manager uses the converted infrared energy to power the electronic device and/or to charge an energy storage unit.

Abstract: A docking station is disclosed. The docking station has an adjustable opening that accommodates portable electronic devices with differing sizes and shapes. The opening is capable of expanding to accommodate larger devices and retracting to accommodate smaller devices while still supporting the portable electronic device in its proper position within the docking station.

Abstract: A system for providing integrated guidance for positioning a needle in a body has two levels of guidance: a coarse guidance and a fine guidance. The system comprises a non-invasive tracking system (400) for tracing the biopsy device (100) in the body, for providing the coarse guidance. Furthermore, the system comprises an optical detector (101?, 102?, 103?) mounted on the needle (100) for obtaining optical information discriminating tissue in the body, for providing the fine guidance.

Abstract: A docking station is disclosed. The docking station has an adjustable opening that accommodates portable electronic devices with differing sizes and shapes. The opening is capable of expanding to accommodate larger devices and retracting to accommodate smaller devices while still supporting the portable electronic device in its proper position within the docking station.

Abstract: A docking station is disclosed. The docking station has an adjustable opening that accommodates portable electronic devices with differing sizes and shapes. The opening is capable of expanding to accommodate larger devices and retracting to accommodate smaller devices while still supporting the portable electronic device in its proper position within the docking station.

Abstract: A docking system is disclosed. The docking system includes a single docking station and a plurality of inserts that are placed in the docking station so that the docking station can accommodate hand held devices with differing sizes and shapes. The docking system is configured with a docking station and insert that matingly engage with one another via a rotating action. The docking system is also configured with a latching retention mechanism that secures the insert to the docking station when the insert is rotated into engagement with the docking station.