Abstract: The present invention application relates to a spiral heat exchanger and a heat exchange device.

Abstract: A computed tomography (CT) imaging apparatus includes a radiation source to emit X-rays while rotating in a predetermined trajectory; a plurality of detectors arranged in a circular ring and configured to detect the emitted X-rays; and processing circuitry to cause the radiation source to scan an object, and cause a subset of the detectors nearest to the radiation source to move in a direction intersecting with a plane of the predetermined trajectory of the radiation source in accordance with a determined location of the radiation source.

Abstract: Photon counting detectors are sparsely placed at predetermined positions in the fourth-generation geometry around an object to be scanned in spectral Computer Tomography (CT). An X-ray emitting source rotates radially outside the sparsely placed photon counting detectors. Furthermore, the integrating detectors are placed in the third-generation in combination to the sparsely placed photon counting detectors at predetermined positions in the fourth-generation geometry.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for testing scintillator arrays, e.g., crystal arrays for PET imaging. The apparatus includes, a two-sided tray arranged to hold scintillator arrays in either side and slide the arrays into a light-tight box having a radiation source beneath the arrays and photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) above the arrays. When arranged in the testing position with the arrays interposed between the radiation source and the PMTs, ambient light from outside the box is prevented from leaking into the box and high-voltage power is supplied to the PMTs. Otherwise, to prevent PMT damage, the high-voltage is off. The radiation source is an arrangement of sealed low-activity pieces of radioactive elements, thus minimizing requirements for radiation shielding and minimizing safety risks. The method calculates a flood map from scintillation data/counts and performs analysis according to predefined criteria, e.g., the peak-to-valley ratio, to flag arrays exhibiting inferior quality.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for testing scintillator arrays, e.g., crystal arrays for PET imaging. The apparatus includes, a two-sided tray arranged to hold scintillator arrays in either side and slide the arrays into a light-tight box having a radiation source beneath the arrays and photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) above the arrays. When arranged in the testing position with the arrays interposed between the radiation source and the PMTs, ambient light from outside the box is prevented from leaking into the box and high-voltage power is supplied to the PMTs. Otherwise, to prevent PMT damage, the high-voltage is off. The radiation source is an arrangement of sealed low-activity pieces of radioactive elements, thus minimizing requirements for radiation shielding and minimizing safety risks. The method calculates a flood map from scintillation data/counts and performs analysis according to predefined criteria, e.g., the peak-to-valley ratio, to flag arrays exhibiting inferior quality.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling movement of a plurality of fixed detectors arranged in a computed tomography (CT) system that includes a rotating X-ray source. The method including obtaining a view angle of the X-ray source, determining a tilt angle for a detector of the plurality of detectors that is within a scan field-of-view of the X-ray source at the obtained view angle so that an outer face of the detector directly faces the X-ray source, and causing the detector to be moved to the determined tilt angle.

Abstract: A computed tomography (CT) imaging apparatus includes a radiation source to emit X-rays while rotating in a predetermined trajectory; a plurality of detectors arranged in a circular ring and configured to detect the emitted X-rays; and processing circuitry to cause the radiation source to scan an object, and cause a subset of the detectors nearest to the radiation source to move in a direction intersecting with a plane of the predetermined trajectory of the radiation source in accordance with a determined location of the radiation source.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention can comprise a data rich tooltip or other graphical or textual preview of a selected object of interest. This preview can provide the user with additional information about the object so that the user does not need to waste time opening multiple objects or records in order to find the desired one. Instead, the summary view can provide enough information that the user does not need to open the record; the tooltip has the information that they want to know about the item. According to one embodiment, the summary view can be generated for each record based on a pre-configured template. Content presented in the summary view can be defined by the template and may be text about the object (e.g., object field values), about other related objects, images, or other information that would help the user find the desired object without opening it.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for simulating a radiation phantom so as to calibrate or measure performance of a gamma detection system. The apparatus includes a line bar configured to rotate around an axis of rotation, a source carriage configured to move linearly along the line bar and to hold an attached radiation source, and a fixture assembly configured to support the line bar, the fixture assembly being configured to attach to a patient bed.

Abstract: Photon counting detectors are sparsely placed at predetermined positions in the fourth-generation geometry around an object to be scanned in spectral Computer Tomography (CT). An X-ray emitting source rotates radially outside the sparsely placed photon counting detectors. Furthermore, the integrating detectors are placed in the third-generation in combination to the sparsely placed photon counting detectors at predetermined positions in the fourth-generation geometry.

Abstract: A positron emission tomography (PET) detector module includes an array of scintillation crystal elements and a plurality of photosensors arranged to at least partially cover the array of scintillation crystal elements. The photosensors are configured to receive light emitted from the array of scintillation crystal elements. The module includes a transparent adhesive arranged between the array of scintillation crystal elements and the plurality of photosensors. The transparent adhesive extends directly from a surface of at least one of the scintillation crystal elements to a surface of at least one of the photosensors and is configured to distribute the light emitted from one of the scintillation crystal elements to more than one of the photosensors. A method of manufacturing the module includes various steps utilizing a fixture. A PET scanner uses multiple modules arranged circumferentially around an area to be scanned.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling movement of a plurality of fixed detectors arranged in a computed tomography (CT) system that includes a rotating X-ray source. The method including obtaining a view angle of the X-ray source, determining a tilt angle for a detector of the plurality of detectors that is within a scan field-of-view of the X-ray source at the obtained view angle so that an outer face of the detector directly faces the X-ray source, and causing the detector to be moved to the determined tilt angle.

Abstract: A positron emission tomography (PET) detector module includes an array of scintillation crystal elements and a plurality of photosensors arranged to at least partially cover the array of scintillation crystal elements. The photosensors are configured to receive light emitted from the array of scintillation crystal elements. The module includes a transparent adhesive arranged between the array of scintillation crystal elements and the plurality of photosensors. The transparent adhesive extends directly from a surface of at least one of the scintillation crystal elements to a surface of at least one of the photosensors and is configured to distribute the light emitted from one of the scintillation crystal elements to more than one of the photosensors. A method of manufacturing the module includes various steps utilizing a fixture. A PET scanner uses multiple modules arranged circumferentially around an area to be scanned.

Abstract: A positron emission tomography (PET) detector module includes an array of scintillation crystal elements and a plurality of photosensors arranged to at least partially cover the array of scintillation crystal elements. The photosensors are configured to receive light emitted from the array of scintillation crystal elements. The module includes a transparent adhesive arranged between the array of scintillation crystal elements and the plurality of photosensors. The transparent adhesive extends directly from a surface of at least one of the scintillation crystal elements to a surface of at least one of the photosensors and is configured to distribute the light emitted from one of the scintillation crystal elements to more than one of the photosensors. A method of manufacturing the module includes various steps utilizing a fixture. A PET scanner uses multiple modules arranged circumferentially around an area to be scanned.

Abstract: An infusion pump uses sensors, movable members and a control unit to determine tubing thickness in a tube-loading section of the pump. The infusion pump utilizes sensors, such as a pressure sensor, to record forces imparted by a tube undergoing no pressure, a single pressure, or a pressure sweep, to determine thickness. Using these values, the tubing wall thickness can be determined. The infusion pump can also compress a tube using a movable member of the pump and records the distance traveled by the movable member to compress fully the tube. Using this distance, the tubing wall thickness can be determined.

Abstract: An infusion pump uses an improved shuttle mechanism to more reliably pump liquids in low volumes for medical and other purposes. The improved shuttle uses linear translation and wider, symmetric jaws to grasp infusate tubing and pump liquid infusate through the tubing. Adjustment of the linear motion allows a user to also adjust a pumping volume of the infusion pump. Other shuttles with wider jaws may also pump infusate using a rotary motion. In addition, more than one shuttle, such as two or three shuttles, may be used to approximate continuous pumping. A series of several smaller linear shuttles with sequential actuation may be used as a linear peristaltic pump for general peristaltic pump applications.

Abstract: A radiation detector that includes multiple adjacent modular detector segments. Each segment includes an array of scintillation crystal elements, a light guide arranged adjacent to the array of scintillation crystal elements, and reflectors arranged around a periphery of the segment so that light produced by a scintillation event in the segment is substantially confined to the segment. In one embodiment, each segment is coupled to multiple photosensors, each photosensor receiving light from at least one of the segments.

Abstract: A positron emission tomography (PET) detector module includes an array of scintillation crystal elements and a plurality of photosensors arranged to at least partially cover the array of scintillation crystal elements. The photosensors are configured to receive light emitted from the array of scintillation crystal elements. The module includes a transparent adhesive arranged between the array of scintillation crystal elements and the plurality of photosensors. The transparent adhesive extends directly from a surface of at least one of the scintillation crystal elements to a surface of at least one of the photosensors and is configured to distribute the light emitted from one of the scintillation crystal elements to more than one of the photosensors. A method of manufacturing the module includes various steps utilizing a fixture. A PET scanner uses multiple modules arranged circumferentially around an area to be scanned.

Abstract: A radiation detector that includes multiple adjacent modular detector segments. Each segment includes an array of scintillation crystal elements, a light guide arranged adjacent to the array of scintillation crystal elements, and reflectors arranged around a periphery of the segment so that light produced by a scintillation event in the segment is substantially confined to the segment. In one embodiment, each segment is coupled to multiple photosensors, each photosensor receiving light from at least one of the segments.

Abstract: An infusion pump uses sensors, movable members and a control unit to determine tubing thickness in a tube-loading section of the pump. The infusion pump utilizes sensors, such as a pressure sensor, to record forces imparted by a tube undergoing no pressure, a single pressure, or a pressure sweep, to determine thickness. Using these values, the tubing wall thickness can be determined. The infusion pump can also compress a tube using a movable member of the pump and records the distance traveled by the movable member to compress fully the tube. Using this distance, the tubing wall thickness can be determined.