Abstract: A cross-dipole radiating element includes first and second polymer-based coplanar waveguide feed stalks, and first and second pairs of polymer-based radiating arms, which are supported by and electrically coupled to the first and second coplanar waveguide feed stalks. These polymer-based feed stalks and radiating arms are configured as a unitary polymer substrate, which is selectively metallized to define a cross-dipole radiating element. The first and second feed stalks may be configured as finite grounded coplanar waveguide (GCPW) feed stalks, which are spaced-apart from each other on an underlying polymer base. The unitary polymer substrate may include the polymer base.

Abstract: Antennas are provided. An antenna includes an antenna array having a plurality of sub-arrays that each include a plurality of radiating elements. Moreover, the antenna includes a multi-stage beamforming network having a first stage including a plurality of first Butler matrices and a second stage including a plurality of second Butler matrices that are coupled between the first Butler matrices and the sub-arrays. The first Butler matrices are each coupled to each of the second Butler matrices. The second Butler matrices are coupled to the sub-arrays, respectively, without any cables between the second Butler matrices and the sub-arrays.

Abstract: A power tool including a motor for rotatably driving a tool bit at an attained rotational speed, a source for supplying an electric current to the motor, a sensor for measuring the current, and a control device. The control component fulfills the task of detecting a variation of the slope of the current in the course of time, and generates a control signal. The rotational speed of the tool is reduced in response to the control signal. The power tool automatically detects whether the work piece operated by the tool bit reaches a predetermined position by electronic control means. It may make sure that the screw is driven into a piece of wood and does not go beyond the predetermined position once it detects that the work piece reaches the position and carries out a changing action.

Abstract: A method for reconstructing images of structures undergoing physiological motion comprises acquiring a first volume of data over a first motion cycle. The first volume comprises a first overlap volume. A second volume of data is acquired over a second motion cycle and comprises a second overlap volume. The first and second overlap volumes comprise like anatomical regions with respect to each other. A reconstructed volume of data is formed based on temporal data within the first and second overlap volumes.

Abstract: Methods and systems for generating computed tomographic (CT) images from image data acquired during different biological cycles are provided. A computer is programmed to receive a plurality of scan data acquired during a gated acquisition window of each of a plurality of biological cycles, blend the scan data acquired during a first of the plurality of biological cycles with the scan data acquired during a second of the plurality of biological cycles, and construct a final image from the blended data.

Abstract: A method for reconstructing an image using an imaging apparatus that includes a radiation source, a detector array, and a computer. The method includes performing a helical scan of an object at a selected helical pitch using the radiation source and detector array to obtain image data, and reconstructing an image of the object utilizing the computer programmed to perform a hybrid cone beam image reconstruction having ray-wise 3D weighting, wherein the weighting is dependent upon both helical pitch and z-distance.

Abstract: A power tool including a motor for rotatably driving a tool bit at an attained rotational speed, a source for supplying an electric current to the motor, a sensor for measuring the current, and a control device. The control component fulfils the task of detecting a variation of the slope of the current in the course of time, and generates a control signal. The rotational speed of the tool is reduced in response to the control signal. The power tool automatically detects whether the work piece operated by the tool bit reaches a predetermined position by electronic control means. It may make sure that the screw is driven into a piece of wood and does not go beyond the predetermined position once it detects that the work piece reaches the position and carries out a changing action.

Abstract: A method for performing BIS correction includes scanning an object with a computed tomography (CT) system to obtain data, reconstructing an image using the obtained data, and using the image to perform BIS correction.

Abstract: A method for obtaining data includes scanning an object using a CT imaging system having at least two detector rows to acquire projection data, wherein the projection data includes at least some data obtained from at least two rows of the detector array, and reconstructing data representative an image of the object utilizing the projection data wherein the reconstruction includes pipelining the acquired projection data through a pipeline of operations including column-filtering, tomographic filtering, and backprojection. Thick reconstructed images using 3D backprojection can be obtained with significantly lessened artifacts relative to conventional 3D backprojection image reconstructions.

Abstract: A method and system for filtering medical images is described. The described method of filtering medical images includes receiving image data including a plurality of images from an image scan, determining a number of interpolation elements based on a slice thickness of the plurality of images, and filtering the image data using the determined interpolation elements.

Abstract: A method for combining images acquired using helical half-scan imaging comprises identifying an image plane within an overlap region comprising data from first and second view streams representative of first and second cycles of acquired image data. The image plane comprises the same anatomical structure. First and second weighting functions are calculated for first and second images based on first and second tube positions of an x-ray tube. The first and second images correspond to the image plane and are from the first and second view streams, respectively. The first and second tube positions also correspond to the image plane. A weighted image is then formed based on the first and second weighting functions and the first and second images.

Abstract: A method for producing an image of an object includes scanning an object with an imaging apparatus to collect projection data of the object utilizing cone sampling. The projection data is rebinned in a row-wise, fan-to-parallel fashion to produce rebinned data and the rebinned data is view-weighted to produce view-weighted data. The method further includes filtering the view-weighted data utilizing a row-wise ramp filter to produce filtered data and generating an image of the object utilizing the filtered data and a three-dimensional (3D) backprojection.

Abstract: A method for reconstructing an image using an imaging apparatus that includes a radiation source, a detector array, and a computer. The method includes performing a helical scan of an object at a selected helical pitch using the radiation source and detector array to obtain image data, and reconstructing an image of the object utilizing the computer programmed to perform a hybrid cone beam image reconstruction having ray-wise 3D weighting, wherein the weighting is dependent upon both helical pitch and z-distance.

Abstract: Methods and systems for generating images from a set of projection data acquired during a CT scan is provided. The system includes a computer programmed to utilize at least one of a cone angle dependent view weighting and an image plane dependent view weighting to generate an image.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system of blending data acquired from neighboring partial-scans. Data is acquired from an imaging volume in a series of fractional or partial-scans. Each partial-scan samples a fraction of the imaging volume. During reconstruction, data from the partial-scans are combined to compensate for the unsampled portion of the imaging volume that is experienced in any partial-scan alone.

Abstract: A CT imaging system includes a gantry and a table in a movable relationship with the gantry. The CT imaging system also includes a controller configured to control relative movement between a subject disposed on the table and the gantry from a first data acquisition position to a second data acquisition position. The controller is also configured to determine a total scan time based on a first time for acquiring imaging data at the first data acquisition position and a second time for transitioning from the first data acquisition position to the second data acquisition position. The controller is also configured to disable data acquisition in an immediately subsequent cardiac cycle and re-enable data acquisition in the cardiac cycle following the immediately subsequent cardiac cycle if the total scan time exceeds one cardiac cycle of the subject. A method of CT imaging is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for reconstructing an image of an object utilizing a cone-beam volumetric computed tomographic imaging apparatus includes helically scanning the object with a radiation source utilizing the cone-beam volumetric computed tomographic imaging apparatus, selecting radiation beams emitted by the radiation source passing through a pixel P, a Tam-window, and a Katsevich window, filtering the selected projection data, and reconstructing an image of the object utilizing the filtered selected projection data including projection data within the Katsevich window and outside the Tam-window.

Abstract: A method for reconstructing images of structures undergoing physiological motion comprises acquiring a first volume of data over a first motion cycle. The first volume comprises a first overlap volume. A second volume of data is acquired over a second motion cycle and comprises a second overlap volume. The first and second overlap volumes comprise like anatomical regions with respect to each other. A reconstructed volume of data is formed based on temporal data within the first and second overlap volumes.

Abstract: A method for reconstructing tilted cone beam data acquired using a CT apparatus. The CT apparatus has a gantry and a table. The gantry has an x-ray source and a detector array with columns and rows. The gantry is tilted at a gantry tilt angle with respect to the table and a plurality of projection data is acquired using the CT apparatus. Fan-parallel rebinning is performed on a row by row basis to form a plurality of reconstructed pixels. The coordinate locations of the plurality of reconstructed pixels are adjusted based on the gantry tilt angle and used to form a reconstructed image.

Abstract: A CT imaging system includes a gantry and a table in a movable relationship with the gantry. The CT imaging system also includes a controller configured to control relative movement between a subject disposed on the table and the gantry from a first data acquisition position to a second data acquisition position. The controller is also configured to determine a total scan time based on a first time for acquiring imaging data at the first data acquisition position and a second time for transitioning from the first data acquisition position to the second data acquisition position. The controller is also configured to disable data acquisition in an immediately subsequent cardiac cycle and re-enable data acquisition in the cardiac cycle following the immediately subsequent cardiac cycle if the total scan time exceeds one cardiac cycle of the subject. A method of CT imaging is also disclosed.