摘要:
An apparatus and related methods for scanning a breast are described, the apparatus comprising a frame defining an orifice shaped to allow the breast to be received therein, a compressive member secured to the frame across the orifice that compresses the received breast toward the patient's chest wall, and a transducer positioned in acoustic communication with the compressive member for imaging the breast therethrough. The frame holds a reservoir of acoustically conductive fluid that maintains the transducer in acoustic communication with the compressive member. In different preferred embodiments having different advantages, the compressive member comprises a flexible elastic membrane, a flexible inelastic membrane, or a rigid sonolucent plastic preformed into the shape of a chestwardly-compressed breast. Where the transducer comprises one or more linear array probes, various probe orientations and trajectories are described for generating a three-dimensional volumetric representation of the breast having reduced nipple shadow effects.
摘要:
Method and related apparatuses are described for performing automated ultrasound mammography with reduced nipple shadow effects. The breast is compressed in a direction generally toward the chest wall of the patient with one side of a compressive member which is preferably a membrane. The breast is scanned with an ultrasonic transducer array positioned in acoustic communication with the other side of the membrane. Beamsteering is used. The signals from the beamsteered energy are combined to generate one or more compound images having a reduced nipple shadow effect. An acoustic couplant is preferably applied between the breast and the membrane. The images of the sub-nipple region are also preferably enhanced by making comparisons with reference areas of the breast in areas away from the nipple shadow effected area. The images are preferably displayed to a user, either automatically or upon receiving a preference from the user.
摘要:
G.E. DOCKET NUMBER 15-DS-00536A system and method for measuring a position of an imaging element located within a scanhead of an imaging probe, such as transesophageal ultrasound probe, is provided. The imaging probe may be used in a medical imaging system and/or a three-dimensional imaging system. The probe includes an articulating portion having a scanhead. The scanhead includes an imaging element, such as a transducer, and a position sensor positioned within the scanhead. Preferably, the position sensor is connected to the imaging element via an axle. Therefore, the rotation of the position sensor is synchronized to the rotation of the imaging element. The location of the position sensor within the imaging element provides accurate measurement of the position of the imaging element. The position sensor preferably includes a code disk having apertures and a system of light emitters and detectors. As the code disk rotates in synchronization with the imaging element, the pattern of detection of light through the apertures measures the position of the imaging element. Various alternative position sensors, such as potentiometers, may be utilized within the scanhead of the probe. The probe also includes a control handle having imaging and articulation controls.
摘要:
The routing of calls from one network (100) to another network (170) may be accomplished by tracking the call completion history over each trunk group (174.sub.1 -174.sub.2) connecting the networks. From a knowledge of the call completion history for each route, a Completion Rate Factor (CRF), representing the ratio of completed calls to all calls attempted is computed. The route having the CRF representing the highest number of completions is then selected. Typically, the process is dynamic, so that if the selected route no longer has the highest number of completions, then the route previously found to have the highest number of call completions is selected. The concept of completion rate factor routing can be extended to multiple carriers to yield a carrier completion rate feature routing technique. Routing may also be completed in accordance with network congestion to route advance a call.
摘要:
The present invention discloses a method of retreating a viscous semi-solid dewatered sludge having a water content of 70-85%, which is characterized by comprising the steps of: (1) adding a desiccant into said dewatered sludge, and stirring the resulting mixture to produce a mixed sludge having a water content of 50-60%; and (2) drying the mixed sludge to produce a dried granular sludge, which has a water content of 45% or less. The method of retreating the sludge of the present invention can decrease the treatment energy consumption, have a simple dry waste gas treatment, greatly reduce the cost for treating the sludge, accomplish the clean production and the sludge's innocuity, stabilization, minimization, and recycle.
摘要:
Apparatus and related methods for facilitating volumetric ultrasonic scanning of a breast are described. In one preferred embodiment, a generally cone-shaped radial scanning template having a vertex and a wide opening angle is provided, the radial scanning template having a slot-like opening extending outward from the vertex through which an ultrasound transducer scans the breast as the radial scanning template is rotated. In another preferred embodiment, a flexible membrane for compressing a skin surface of the breast is provided, the flexible membrane being mounted on a mechanical assembly such as a roller assembly to form a slot-like opening through which an ultrasound transducer directly contacts the skin surface, the flexible membrane rising and falling relative to the skin surface but not moving laterally as the slot-like opening and ultrasound transducer move laterally across the compressed breast, whereby stabilization of the breast and direct transducer-skin contact are concurrently achieved.
摘要:
An apparatus and related methods for ultrasonically scanning a tissue volume are described, the apparatus being particularly advantageous in the context of freehand ultrasound assisted biopsy of the breast although readily applied to non-biopsy contexts and other body parts. The apparatus comprises a casing configured and dimensioned for single-handed manipulation relative to a surface of the tissue, and a texturably couplant-porous material sheet extending across an opening of the casing. The texturably couplant-porous material sheet has an outer side and an inner side relative to the casing, the outer side for compressively contacting the tissue surface. The apparatus further comprises an ultrasound transducer positioned against the inner side of the texturably couplant-porous material sheet and being mechanically translatable thereacross for volumetrically scanning the tissue volume therethrough.
摘要:
The present invention concerns a technique for providing Class-of-Service Routing in an ATM network (10) that utilizes the Private Network-Network Interface (PNNI) protocol. An originating node seeking to route a call to a terminating node does so by initially determining the class-of-service and then selecting a shortest length path there-between. Each successive link on the selected path is examined for sufficient available bandwidth and available depth (i.e., bandwidth not reserved for other services) for the Class-of-Service of the call. If every link possesses sufficient available bandwidth, then the call passes on the selected path. Otherwise, should a link on the selected path lack sufficient bandwidth and available depth, then a crankback message is sent to the originating node, and the originating node selects the next shortest path. Thereafter, the process of examining each link for sufficient bandwidth is repeated. If no path is found, the call is ultimately blocked.
摘要:
The invention provides a method for the use of an Intelligent Peripheral Concentrator (IPC) in a network that enables more efficient use of intelligent peripheral (IPe) resources. In particular the present invention discloses a method of managing intelligent peripherals, where the IPC receives at least one request for an IPe service from at least one network element, determines necessary IPe resources to satisfy the request(s) and establishes at least-one connection between at least one intelligent peripheral and at least one network element based on the necessary resources.
摘要:
An apparatus and related methods for ultrasonically scanning a tissue volume are described, the apparatus being particularly advantageous in the context of freehand ultrasound assisted biopsy of the breast although readily applied to non-biopsy contexts and other body parts. The apparatus comprises a casing configured and dimensioned for single-handed manipulation relative to a surface of the tissue, and a texturably couplant-porous material sheet extending across an opening of the casing. The texturably couplant-porous material sheet has an outer side and an inner side relative to the casing, the outer side for compressively contacting the tissue surface. The apparatus further comprises an ultrasound transducer positioned against the inner side of the texturably couplant-porous material sheet and being mechanically translatable thereacross for volumetrically scanning the tissue volume therethrough.