Abstract:
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for automatically updating scan patterns used during ultrasound imaging. A handheld ultrasound system may include an ultrasound device with a two-dimensional array of ultrasound transducers, and a smartphone or tablet that configures the ultrasound device to obtain a first ultrasound image frame using a scan pattern defining an acoustic beam. The system then updates the scan pattern to optimize a view of the desired anatomy. When the system is operating in cardiac imaging mode, the scan pattern may be updated by adjusting the azimuthal tilt and/or the elevational tilt of the acoustic beam. When the system is operating in lung imaging mode, the scan pattern may be updated by adjusting the elevational tilt and/or the translation of the aperture of the array of ultrasound transducers. The system then configures the ultrasound device to obtain a second ultrasound image frame using the updated scan pattern.
Abstract:
A method for encoding a monochrome or color image. The method includes receiving an image and adjusting the image based on a global uniform macro-type color space. The image is modified spatially based on a local uniform micro-type edge characteristic that includes a just-noticeable difference (JND), and the image is outputted.
Abstract:
A method of manufacturing an artificial muscle fiber device includes: tethering an artificial muscle fiber around one or more shape-setting pieces; annealing the artificial muscle fiber so that the artificial muscle fiber will retain specific shapes established by the shape-setting pieces; and removing the shape-setting pieces from the artificial muscle fiber.
Abstract:
An actuator and method of manufacturing an actuator that includes a core fiber with polymers aligned along the length of the core fiber, and a wire that is wound around and fixed to the core fiber. The winding of the wire is engineered based on the torsional actuation. Upon heating the core fiber, the wire impedes radial expansion of the core fiber and converts the radial expansion into a torsional actuation.
Abstract:
A method for 3D printing an object, based on a 3D printable model of the object, includes scanning, by a first LiDAR sensor of a plurality of LiDAR sensors, a portion of the object while the object is being printed by a printer head. The method also includes generating an image of at least the portion of the object based on scanning the portion, generating a comparison by comparing the image with the 3D printable model, and sending a feedback signal that adjusts the printer head based on the comparison.
Abstract:
Methods and a device for the continuous manufacturing of artificial muscle actuator device fibers are disclosed. The method includes: threading an untwisted fiber along the axis of a tube and inside the tube that includes a heating means to raise the localized temperature of a cross-section of the tube to a predetermined temperature; providing a tension on the untwisted fiber; and twisting the untwisted fiber while the fiber is within the tube.
Abstract:
A method of quantifying gas leak rate includes receiving image frames acquired with a camera and including a plume from a gas leak source, determining a real-world size that each pixel represents, identifying pixels corresponding to the plume in a first image frame, calculating gas concentration path lengths of the plume for the pixels in the first image frame, calculating, based on the first image frame and a second image frame, an image velocity field of the plume including displacement vectors for the pixels, identifying, within the first image, a closed boundary enclosing the gas leak source of the plume, and calculating a first gas leak rate in the first image frame by calculating a volume rate of the plume flowing across the closed boundary based on the image velocity field, the gas concentration path lengths, and a time interval between the first and the second image frames.
Abstract:
A system for monitoring and responding to a cerebrovascular accident includes a computer, including a computer processor and a computer transceiver, a storage that stores personal medical information and a risk level, and a portable device attached to a user. When the computer transceiver receives personal medical information of the user, the computer processor calculates the risk level of a cerebrovascular accident based on the personal medical information. When the computer transceiver receives acceleration information, the computer processor determines whether to contact a predetermined contact based on the risk level and the personal medical information. The portable device includes an acceleration sensor, a position receiver, a clock, a portable transceiver, and a portable processor.
Abstract:
Methods, system, and apparatus for producing an actuator device are disclosed. The method may include twisting a muscle fiber; coiling the twisted muscle fiber about a mandrel; securing the muscle fiber onto the mandrel using a securing means; heating the muscle fiber to a predetermined temperature using a heating means; and removing the coiled muscle fiber from the mandrel. The twisting, coiling, securing, heating, and removing is a process that is continued until the muscle fiber is a desired length.
Abstract:
A method of fabricating a flexible transparent conductive electrode layer includes depositing a correlated metal film having a thickness between 10nm and 100nm on a flexible transparent substrate, annealing the correlated metal film with the UV pulses, and maintaining a temperature of the flexible transparent substrate below 80°C during the depositing and annealing.