Abstract: A multi-order diffractive Fresnel lens (MOD-DFL) that is suitable for use in a space telescope for studying transiting earth-like planets of distant stars is provided. The MOD-DFL may comprise a MOD-DFL array comprising a plurality of MOD-DFL segments that are secured to a mounting surface of a deployment device, such as a balloon, for example, in a preselected arrangement to form the MOD-DFL. An array telescope may be formed of an array of deployment devices, such as an array of balloons, for example, each having a MOD-DFL secured to a mounting surface of the respective deployment device, an optics system disposed inside of the respective deployment device, and a camera disposed inside of the respective deployment device. Each MOD-DFL comprises a plurality of MOD-DFL segments arranged in a preselected arrangement to form the respective MOD-DFL.

Abstract: A flat panel detector and an imaging system are provided. The flat panel detector includes a plurality of pixel units which include photosensitive pixel units and alignment pixel units. Each photosensitive pixel unit includes a photoelectric sensor configured to convert an incident light into an electrical signal so that a photosensitive pixel unit in which the photoelectric sensor is located has a grayscale that changes according to a real-time change of the incident light. Each alignment pixel unit is configured to have a fixed grayscale, and the fixed grayscale does not change according to the real-time change of the incident light. The alignment pixel units includes first alignment pixel units and second alignment pixel units. Each first alignment pixel unit has a first fixed grayscale, each second alignment pixel unit has a second fixed grayscale different from the first fixed grayscale.

Abstract: A method to enhance security screening includes generating an augmented reality (AR) interface incorporating scan results from scanning a target in a security scanner. The method displays, to a user of an AR interface, the AR interface mapped to the target and determines guidance including an action relevant to addressing the scan results. The method displays, to the user via the AR interface, the guidance including the action for the user to carry out and monitors user actions. The method displays, to the user via the AR interface, confirmation that the user has carried out the action.

Abstract: A radiation latency measurement system, having a pulse detector connected to a radiation detector mounted within a phantom that is configured to be positioned within a radiation treatment system which delivers a radiation dose to the radiation detector. The pulse detector has a first circuit that applies a high voltage bias to the radiation detector and a second circuit that amplifies the voltage signal from the radiation detector with a fixed gain first amplification stage and a variable gain second amplification stage. A first comparator receives the amplified signal and generates an output signal when the amplified signal exceeds a specified voltage level and a second comparator that processes and filters the output signal. The timing of receipt of the radiation dose signal may be compared to the position of the radiation detector in order to measure a radiation dose latency of the radiation treatment system.

Abstract: A camera assembly includes a housing inside of which components are maintained at a cryogenic temperature. The components maintained at cryogenic temperature include a detector that is mounted on an integrated circuit, which in turn is mounted on a platform, such as a ceramic platform, which includes electrical connections for the integrated circuit. The camera assembly also includes one or more subplatforms, maintained above the cryogenic temperature, such as ambient temperature, that receive electrical inputs from outside the housing, and make electrical connections to the platform. The connections may be made from the one or more subplatforms, through openings in the platform and/or outside one or more outer edges of the platform. The assembly may include covers of exposed parts of the one or more subplatforms, to facilitate thermal isolation between the interior of the assembly (at cryogenic temperature) and the one or more subplatforms (above cryogenic temperature).

Abstract: An X-ray detector comprises a first scintillator layer, a second scintillator layer, a first photodiode array, a second photodiode array, and at least one light emitting layer. The first scintillator layer is configured to absorb X-rays from an X-ray pulse and emit light. The first photodiode array is positioned adjacent to the first scintillator layer and is configured to detect at least some of the light emitted by the first scintillator layer. The second scintillator layer is configured to absorb X-rays from the X-ray pulse and emit light. The second photodiode array is positioned adjacent to the second scintillator layer and is configured to detect at least some of the light emitted by the second scintillator layer. The at least one light emitting layer is configured to emit radiation such that at least some of the emitted radiation irradiates the first photodiode array, and at least some of the emitted radiation irradiates the second photodiode array.

Abstract: A method of operating a robotic control system comprising a master apparatus in communication with a plurality of input devices having respective handles capable of translational and rotational movement and a slave system having a tool positioning device corresponding to each respective handle and holding a respective tool having an end effector whose position and orientation is determined in response to a position and orientation of a corresponding handle. The method involves producing desired new end effector positions and orientations of respective end effectors in response to current positions and orientations of corresponding handles, using the desired new end effector positions and orientations to determine distances from each point of a first plurality of points along a first tool positioning device to each point of a plurality of points along at least one other tool positioning device, and determining and notifying that any of the distances meets a proximity criterion.

Abstract: Embodiments generally relate to routing a bundle of loose cables with a cable chain during a medical procedure. The cable chain comprises split tubing and a plurality of links extending discretely along a length of the split tubing. Each link comprises a housing including an outer surface and an inner surface. The outer surface comprises a magnet and the inner surface forms a recess in the link. The split tubing is disposed within the recesses of the links.

Abstract: A system includes an ultrasound probe comprising an ultrasound transducer, a first motor configured to rotate the ultrasound transducer around a horizontal axis to scan a plane, and a second motor configured to rotate the ultrasound transducer around a vertical axis to move to a different plane. The system further includes a controller unit configured to select a number of scan planes for an interlacing scan to scan a volume of an area of interest in a patient's body using the ultrasound probe; select an interlacing factor for the interlacing scan; divide the scan planes into groups of scan planes based on the interlacing factor; and perform the interlacing scan by controlling the first motor and the second motor, wherein the first motor moves in a first direction for at least some of the scan planes and in a second direction for other ones of the scan planes.

Abstract: A sealing apparatus includes a swellable metal. The swellable metal, when exposed to a fluid, is transitionable from an initial configuration having an initial volume to an expanded configuration having an increased volume. The swellable metal, upon transitioning to the expanded configuration in an annulus of a fluid channel, forms a seal against a surface of the fluid channel such that fluid communication across the swellable metal in the annulus is at least partially restricted.

Abstract: A technique for restoring content is described. The technique includes receiving a specification of content to be restored to a target storage from a data source. The technique also includes determining task units to be performed to restore the specified content. Each task unit is associated with a corresponding assigned weight value. Based on the corresponding assigned weight values, the task units are distributed to different task groups. The task groups are processed in parallel with each other to concurrently perform at least a portion of the distributed task units.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to fabrication and use of a phase-contrast imaging detector that includes sub-pixel resolution electrodes or photodiodes spaced to correspond to a phase-contrast interference pattern. A system using such a detector may employ fewer gratings than are typically used in a phase-contrast imaging system, with certain functionality typically provided by a detector-side analyzer grating being performed by sub-pixel resolution structures (e.g., electrodes or photodiodes) of the detector. Measurements acquired using the detector may be used to determine offset, amplitude, and phase of a phase-contrast interference pattern without multiple acquisitions at different phase steps.

Abstract: A measurement X-ray CT apparatus calibrates a geometrical positional relationship between a focus of an X-ray source, an X-ray detector, and a rotation center of a rotating table in advance. The measurement X-ray CT apparatus then obtains projection images by irradiating the object to be measured with X-rays to perform a CT scan, and generates a three-dimensional image of the object to be measured by CT reconstruction of the projection images. The measurement X-ray CT apparatus further includes a reference frame that is made of a material and has a structure less susceptible to environmental changes, and sensors that are located on the reference frame and intended to successively obtain calibration values of the geometrical positional relationship between the focus of the X-ray source and the X-ray detector during the CT scan. The calibration values are used as parameters of the CT reconstruction.

Abstract: Typically, a dual layer multi-spectral X-ray detector is capable of providing two points of spectral data about an imaged sample, because the front X-ray detector also acts to filter part of an incident X-ray spectrum before detection by a rear X-ray detector. A pre-filter can be placed in front of the front X-ray detector to enhance the spectral separation. However, the provision of a pre-filter implies that the intensity of the X-ray radiation must be increased to achieve the same signal to noise ratio. The present application concerns a multi-spectral X-ray detector with a front X-ray detector, a rear X-ray detector, and a structured spectral filter placed in-between them. The structured spectral filter has first and second regions configured to sample superpixels of the front X-ray detector, enabling three separate items of spectral information to be obtained per superpixel.

Abstract: A method of grouping detection events in an imaging apparatus is described herein. The detection events can include primary detection events and secondary scattered events, which are frequently discarded due to the secondary scattered events, thus reducing sensitivity of the dataset for eventual image reconstruction. The method includes cell modules cascaded with identical parametrized cells, in a pipeline fashion, having the last cell in the chain circle back to the first cell. A rotating data pointer indicates the location of the first entry in the cell pipeline. The described method enables the grouping of multiple samples of detector data in real time with no loss of information, based on a time and location of the detected event. The method can be implemented in an FPGA as a hardware-based real time process.

Abstract: A substrate can include at least two scintillator materials that are mixed at a predetermined ratio. In an embodiment, the scintillator materials can have a decay time difference of at least 50% when exposed to a same radiation source. In another embodiment, the scintillator materials can have a maximum emission wavelength difference of at least 25 nm when exposed to a same radiation source. At least one of the scintillator materials has a decay time of at most 10 ?s. A system can include the substrate and a logic element configured to determine an identity represented by the substrate. A method can include generating an electronic pulse in response to the substrate being exposed to a radiation source; and analyzing the electronic pulse to determine an identity represented by the substrate.

Abstract: The operation unit of radiation monitoring equipment reads in a real countable number (this time) and a cumulated countable number (previous time) in a every operational cycle, and judges whether the real countable number (this time) is within a permissible range, if the real countable number (this time) is judged to be within the permissible range, it is judged whether a number of times deviated from the permissible range is equal to zero or not, if the number of times deviated from the permissible range is judged to be equal to zero, a regular processing is performed, if the real countable number (this time) is judged to be out of a permissible range, 1 is added to the number of times deviated from the permissible range and further it is judged whether the added number of times deviated from the permissible range is equal to 1 or not.

Abstract: A system for moving a patient into and from a medical apparatus includes a patient support arranged outside a treatment space of a medical apparatus, a treatment table arranged inside the treatment space in the medical apparatus and a patient bed movable in a longitudinal direction from the patient support to the treatment table and back by means of activation of a transferring mechanism. The patient bed is provided with at least a first communication channel for transferring communication signals.

Abstract: Described are methods and systems for scanning at least a portion of a patient with a gamma detector mounted on an arm extending towards the patient. One described method includes: obtaining data indicative or coordinates of points on the outer surface of the patient; determining a target position for the gamma detector based on the data indicative, of the coordinates; and causing the gamma detector to detect gamma radiation from the patient when the gamma detector is at the target position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image sensor and to an X-ray system comprising such image sensor. More in particular, the invention relates to an image sensor wherein dose sensing pixels are used in conjunction with artificial pixels to sense a dose of incoming light or radiation. According to the invention, the image sensor comprises one or more shielded photo-sensitive pixels that are shielded for incoming photons and which are each configured for outputting a further reference voltage, wherein the input voltage of the artificial pixels is set in dependence on the outputted further reference voltage(s).

Abstract: System of positron emission tomography to obtain images of a subject, which comprehends: one first fixed axis of rotation; one second axis of rotation substantially parallel to the first axis, in which the second axis is rotatable around the first axis at a predefined distance; one element of support rotatably coupled to the second axis; one pair of scintillators fixed to the element of support, said pair being collinear and aligned along the same longitudinal axis; two photomultipliers, each optically coupled to one of the scintillators; in which the element of support has a free region between the pair of scintillators to receive the subject to be imaged.

Abstract: A person support apparatus, such as a bed, cot, stretcher, chair, or the like, includes a frame, a support surface supported by the frame, a plurality of load cells that detect weight supported on the support surface, at least one A/D converter, and a controller. The load cells output analog signals that are converted to digital by the A/D converters. The controller switches a sampling rate of the A/D converters between at least first and second rates. The outputs from the load cells are forwarded to a plurality of signal acquisition nodes that include the A/D converters. The nodes are positioned at locations that minimize the length of travel of the analog signals, thereby reducing noise interference. Shivering, occupant absence/presence, vital signs, occupant movement, and/or other parameters are detected by the load cells.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a nuclear medical diagnostic apparatus includes at least one PET detector module and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to acquire positional information of the at least one PET detector module based on optical information, and to correct a position of the at least one PET detector module based on the positional information.

Abstract: A large area position-sensitive single-photon detector and radiation detector is described. Photon detectors are coupled to a large area panel configured with an equipotential feedthrough chamber that operates in combination with a photocathode of a hemispherical window to provide electrostatic focusing for the photoelectrons. The panels can be assembled into an enveloping structure, such as a PET scanner, which is globally and/or locally curved, such as into a sphere, ovoid, elongated cylinder, or similar structure providing significant sensitive surface surrounding an object, such as a patient being scanned in a medical positron emission tomography (PET) scanner. Increased sensitivity is provided in response to registering radiation by surrounding the patient, so that reduced patient radiation dosing levels are required.

Abstract: A digital quantum dot radiographic detection system described herein includes: a scintillation subsystem 202 and a semiconductor light detection subsystem 200, 200? (including a plurality of quantum dot image sensors 200a, 200b). In a first preferred digital quantum dot radiographic detection system, the plurality of quantum dot image sensors 200 is in substantially direct contact with the scintillation subsystem 202. In a second preferred digital quantum dot radiographic detection system, the scintillation subsystem has a plurality of discrete scintillation packets 212a, 212b, at least one of the discrete scintillation packets communicating with at least one of the quantum dot image sensors. The quantum dot image sensors 200 may be associated with semiconductor substrate 210 made from materials such as silicon (and variations thereof) or graphene.

Abstract: A method and a system for single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging capable of performing a rapid acquisition of imaging data. The SPECT imaging system, placed at a fixed radial distance from the center of an object being imaged, includes a gamma detector and a collimator. The collimator, mounted on the gamma detector, includes a plurality of parallel slats, each perpendicular to the surface of the gamma detector. The method implemented by this system rapidly reconstructs a high-resolution and high-sensitivity image.

Abstract: A PET detecting device may include a plurality of detection modules and a processing engine. Each of the plurality of detection modules may include a scintillator array, one or more photoelectric converters, one or more energy information determination circuits and a time information determination circuit. The scintillator array may interact with a plurality of photons at respective interaction points to generate a plurality of optical signals. The one or more photoelectric converters may convert the plurality of optical signals to one or more electric signals that each include an energy signal and a time signal. The one or more energy information determination circuits may generate energy information based on the one or more energy signals. The time information determination circuit may generate time information based on the one or more time signals. The processing engine may generate an image based on the energy information and the time information.

Abstract: A robot system includes a robot, a teach pendant having an operator interface, and a robot controller with a computer and associated hardware and software containing a virtual representation of the robot and the environment. The system employs a method for avoiding collisions including moving a manipulator arm along an actual path in an environment containing objects constituting collision geometry. Operator input is entered into the teach pendant, whereby the operator is able to directly control motion of the robot along the actual path. A recent history of the motion of the robot is recorded, and a predicted path of the robot is developed based on the input entered into the teach pendant and the recent history of the motion of the robot. Real-time collision checking between the predicted path and the collision geometry is performed while the operator manually controls the robot using the teach pendant.

Abstract: A method for adjusting a medical device is provided. The method includes obtaining an initial trajectory of a component of the medical device. The initial trajectory of the component includes a plurality of initial positions. For each of the plurality of initial positions, the method further includes determining whether a collision is likely to occur between a subject and the component according to the initial trajectory of the component. In response to the determination that the collision is likely to occur, the method further includes updating the initial trajectory of the component to determine an updated trajectory of the component.

Abstract: A method of operating a robotic control system comprising a master apparatus in communication with a plurality of input devices having respective handles capable of translational and rotational movement and a slave system having a tool positioning device corresponding to each respective handle and holding a respective tool having an end effector whose position and orientation is determined in response to a position and orientation of a corresponding handle. The method involves producing desired new end effector positions and orientations of respective end effectors in response to current positions and orientations of corresponding handles, using the desired new end effector positions and orientations to determine distances from each point of a first plurality of points along a first tool positioning device to each point of a plurality of points along at least one other tool positioning device, and determining and notifying that any of the distances meets a proximity criterion.

Abstract: A X-ray detector includes: a base substrate; a plurality of detection modules disposed on the base substrate, wherein the detection module includes a thin film transistor disposed on the base substrate, an insulating layer with a via hole disposed on the thin film transistor and a photosensitive structure disposed on the insulating layer, a first electrode of the thin film transistor is electrically connected to the photosensitive structure through the via hole on the insulating layer, and the first electrode is a source or a drain electrode of the thin film transistor; and a scintillation layer disposed on the detection module. In the present disclosure, by disposing the photosensitive structure and the TFT in different layers, the photosensitive area of the photosensitive structure is enlarged, and it will not be affected by the TFT.

Abstract: The device (10) comprises a first detector (16) for a measurement on a thyroid and a second detector (18) for a measurement on a thorax. It comprises a portable device (14) for supporting detectors, comprising: a transverse support crossmember (20), —at least one support leg (22) carrying said support cross-member (20), and —a support member (28), borne by the crossmember (20), including first (28A) and second (28B) portions movable relative to one another in a longitudinal direction (X), the first movable portion (28A) bearing the first detector (16), and the second movable portion (28B) bearing the second detector (18).

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system and method includes accessing a graphical model of a representative patient, accessing a medical image of an anatomical structure, and registering the medical image with the graphical model to generate a composite image. The imaging system and method includes displaying the composite image and simultaneously displaying an unregistered medical image of the anatomical structure with the composite image. The unregistered medical image has at least one of a higher resolution and a larger form factor than the registered medical image.

Abstract: Nuclear medicine (NM) imaging system includes a plurality of detector assemblies that each have a movable arm and a detector head that is coupled to the movable arm. The movable arm is configured to move the detector head toward and away from an object. The NM imaging system also includes at least one processor configured to determine a body contour of the object and determine an acquisition configuration using the body contour. The acquisition configuration includes at least three of the detector heads positioned in a dense group that borders the body contour. The detector heads in the dense group are primary detector heads. The at least one processor is also configured to move at least one of the object or one or more of the primary detector heads so that the primary detector heads are in the dense group near the object.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a radiation-hardened analog-to-digital converter circuit and its digital signal calibration method capable of efficiently compensating for an external influence or a changed semiconductor element performance, and a recording medium for performing the method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to determining baseline shift of an electrical signal generated by a photon detector (102) of an X-ray examination device (101). For this purpose, the photon detector comprises a processing unit (103) that is configured to determine a first crossing frequency of a first pulse height threshold by the electrical signal generated by the photon detector. The first pulse height threshold is located at a first edge of a noise peak in the pulse height spectrum of the electrical signal.

Abstract: A medical imaging unit includes a patient receiving area, a housing unit at least partly surrounding the patient receiving area, a detector unit, and a movement detection unit. The movement detection unit includes two or more detection elements configured for detecting a distance from the detection elements to the patient, and including an evaluation unit. The evaluation unit is configured to establish from detected movement of the individual detection elements a three-dimensional movement of the patient within the patient receiving area.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided that employ one or more of a variety of techniques for reducing the time required to display high resolution images on a high dynamic range display having a light source layer and a display layer. In one technique, the image resolution is reduced, an effective luminance pattern is determined for the reduced resolution image, and the resolution of the effective luminance pattern is then increased to the resolution of the display layer. In another technique, the light source layer's point spread function is decomposed into a plurality of components, and an effective luminance pattern is determined for each component. The effective luminance patterns are then combined to produce a total effective luminance pattern. Additional image display time reduction techniques are provided.

Abstract: A method of performing non-uniformity correction for an imaging system includes receiving image data from a detector. The method also includes retrieving stored correction coefficients from the memory. The method also includes retrieving a stored factory calibration reference frame. The method also includes acquiring an operational calibration reference frame. The method also includes computing updated correction coefficients based on the stored correction coefficients, the stored factory calibration reference frame, and the operational calibration reference frame. The method also includes computing the non-uniformity correction based on the updated correction coefficients. The method also includes forming a corrected image by applying the non-uniformity correction to the image data. The method further includes outputting the corrected image.

Abstract: A dual mode radiation detector includes an x-ray detector layer configured to convert incident x-ray radiation into x-ray electrical data, where the x-ray detector forms an incident face of the dual mode radiation detector. The dual mode radiation detector further includes a collimator disposed below the x-ray detector layer, and a gamma photon detector layer disposed below the collimator to convert incident gamma photons into gamma photon electrical data.

Abstract: The present technology describes various embodiments of positron emission tomography (PET) systems for use with mammography machines and associated devices and methods. In several embodiments, a PET system includes a tissue platform and one or more PET detection panels removably coupled to the mammography machine. The panels are configured to generally surround the tissue platform and obtain an approximately 360 degree data sample of tissue. The system can further include an output device configured to output the data sample for image reconstruction. In some embodiments, the system is configured to provide high resolution images, quantitative image accuracy, dynamic imaging, and/or biopsy guidance.

Abstract: Detector module designs for radiographic imaging include first and second layers of scintillator rods or pixel arrays oriented in first and second directions. The first and second directions are transversely oriented to define a light sharing region between the first and second layers. Encoding features may be disposed in, on or between the first and second layers, and configured to modulate propagation of optical signals therealong or therebetween.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for molecular breast imaging. In one embodiment, a method for nuclear medicine imaging comprises: during an acquisition of emission data from an anatomy of interest, calculating an average counts per pixel in non-target tissue; and responsive to the average counts per pixel reaching a threshold, automatically stopping the acquisition. In this way, an amount of time spent by a patient undergoing an MBI procedure is optimized for the patient.

Abstract: Detector module designs for radiographic imaging include first and second layers of scintillator rods or pixel arrays oriented in first and second directions. The first and second directions are transversely oriented to define a light sharing region between the first and second layers. Encoding features may be disposed in, on or between the first and second layers, and configured to modulate propagation of optical signals therealong or therebetween.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for depth-of-interaction (DOI) positron tomography detection are disclosed herein. Certain embodiments utilize dichotomous sensing to obtain DOI information.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide a hybrid technique which incorporates learned pulmonary nodule features in a model based energy minimization segmentation using graph cuts. Features are extracted from training samples using a convolutional neural network, and the segmentation cost function is augmented via the deep learned energy. The system and method improves segmentation performance and more robust initialization.

Abstract: The present invention provides autoradiography methods and systems for imaging via the detection of alpha particles, beta particles, or other charged particles. Embodiments of the methods and systems provide high-resolution 3D imaging of the distribution of a radioactive probe, such as a radiopharmaceutical, on a tissue sample. Embodiments of the present methods and systems provide imaging of tissue samples by reconstruction of a 3D distribution of a source of particles, such as a radiopharmaceutical. Embodiments of the methods and systems provide tomographic methods including microtomography, macrotomography, cryomicrotomography and cryomacrotomography.

Abstract: An improved dual energy CT imaging system for providing improved imaging and improved material identification.

Abstract: A system and method for calibrating a duration of a pulse or a delay. A reference clock signal includes a sequence of reference pulses, and controls a switch in a first charge pump that is configured to charge a first capacitor. Each of a sequence of test pulses controls a switch in a second charge pump that is configured to charge a second capacitor. At the end of each charging cycle, the respective capacitor voltages are compared and the duration of the test pulses is adjusted, by a feedback circuit, in a direction tending to make the capacitor voltages equal. When the capacitor voltages are equal, the ratio of the lengths of the reference pulses and test pulses equals the ratio of the capacitances, if the charge pumps deliver the same current when switched on.

Abstract: A PET/CT imaging system is provided. The imaging system includes a PET detection system having a plurality of detector rings and an axial gap between at least two adjacent detector rings within the plurality of detector rings. The imaging system includes a CT system having an x-ray generator and a CT detection system positioned within the axial gap between the at least two detector rings. The system is configured to collect PET data and CT data on the same volume of interest substantially simultaneously.