Abstract:
A process for visualization of a needle in an ultrasound image comprises defining a region of an ultrasound image in which a body of a needle is expected using a needle tracking system to predict the location of the needle. The process also includes assigning a probability to a plurality of pixels within the region of the ultrasound image of being representative of the body of the needle, and modifying the display of each pixel having an assigned probability within a predetermined range.
Abstract:
A process for visualization of a needle in an ultrasound image comprises defining a region of an ultrasound image in which a body of a needle is expected using a needle tracking system to predict the location of the needle. The process also includes assigning a probability to a plurality of pixels within the region of the ultrasound image of being representative of the body of the needle, and modifying the display of each pixel having an assigned probability within a predetermined range.
Abstract:
A flow sensor assembly is provided and includes a flow conduit configured to impart a disturbance to a flow, multiple sensors disposed at respective sensing locations along the flow conduit. Each sensor is responsive to the disturbance of the flow and generates a corresponding response signal. The flow sensor assembly further includes a processor operably connected to each sensor, the processor being configured to compute a cross-correlation function between the response signals generated by said sensors, and determine a flow rate and a direction for the flow through the conduit based on the computed cross-correlation function. Additional flow sensor assembly arrangements are also disclosed.
Abstract:
A switching apparatus, as may be configured to actuate stacked MEMS switches, may include a switching circuitry (34) including a MEMS switch (36) having a beam (16) made up of a first movable actuator (17) and a second movable actuator (19) electrically connected by a common connector (20) and arranged to selectively establish an electrical current path through the first and second movable actuators in response to a gate control signal applied to the gates of the switch to actuate the movable actuators. The apparatus may further include a gating circuitry (32) to generate the gate control signal applied to gates of the switch. The gating circuitry may include a driver channel (40) electrically coupled to the common connector and may be adapted to electrically float with respect to a varying beam voltage, and may be electrically referenced between the varying beam voltage and a local electrical ground of the gating circuitry.
Abstract:
A system for metering gas includes a housing configured to allow a flow of the gas between an input port and an output port. Further, the system includes a flow manager disposed in the housing and configured to modify at least one physical characteristic of the flow of the gas in the housing. Furthermore, the system includes a flow sensor disposed in the housing and configured to generate an electrical signal in response to flow characteristics of the gas in the housing. Moreover, the system also includes a processor configured to determine at least one flow parameter of the gas based on an amplitude characteristic of the electrical signal, a temporal characteristic of the electrical signal, or both the amplitude characteristic and the temporal characteristic of the electrical signal. A method for metering the gas is also presented.
Abstract:
An ultrasound device determines a position and orientation of a surgical instrument based at least in part on tracking information, such as magnetic field strength, emitted by an emitter of a tracking system and detected by a sensor of the tracking system. The sensor and the emitter are attached to or within a different one of a probe of the ultrasound device and the surgical instrument. The ultrasound device determines an ultrasound imaging parameter, such as an ultrasound beam steering angle, based at least in part on the determined position and orientation of the surgical instrument. The ultrasound device applies the ultrasound imaging parameter to acquire ultrasound image data of a target. The ultrasound device generates an ultrasound image based on the acquired ultrasound image data of the target. The ultrasound image includes a representation of the surgical instrument. The surgical instrument may be a needle.
Abstract:
A system for metering gas is presented. The system includes a housing configured to allow a flow of the gas between an input port and an output port. Further, the system includes a flow manager disposed in the housing and configured to modify at least one physical characteristic of the flow of the gas in the housing. Furthermore, the system includes a flow sensor disposed in the housing and configured to generate an electrical signal in response to flow characteristics of the gas in the housing. Moreover, the system also includes a processor configured to determine at least one flow parameter of the gas based on an amplitude characteristic of the electrical signal, a temporal characteristic of the electrical signal, or both the amplitude characteristic and the temporal characteristic of the electrical signal. A method for metering the gas is also presented.
Abstract:
A flow sensor system including a flow sensor assembly is provided. The sensor assembly may be configured to allow fluid flow through a flow conduit. A flow disrupter may be disposed in the flow conduit to impart disturbances to the fluid flow. A by-pass channel may be in fluid connection with the flow conduit and may be arranged to have a geometrical relationship relative to the flow conduit and the flow disrupter to affect flow characteristics in the bypass channel. One or more sensors may be disposed in the by-pass channel to generate a signal responsive to the flow characteristics in the bypass channel. In a first flow regime, the flow characteristics in the bypass channel may effect an amplitude response of the sensor, and in a second flow regime, the flow characteristics may effect a temporal response of the sensor.
Abstract:
A flow sensor system including a flow sensor assembly is provided. The sensor assembly may be configured to allow fluid flow through a flow conduit. A flow disrupter may be disposed in the flow conduit to impart disturbances to the fluid flow. A by-pass channel may be in fluid connection with the flow conduit and may be arranged to have a geometrical relationship relative to the flow conduit and the flow disrupter to affect flow characteristics in the bypass channel. One or more sensors may be disposed in the by-pass channel to generate a signal responsive to the flow characteristics in the bypass channel. In a first flow regime, the flow characteristics in the bypass channel may effect an amplitude response of the sensor, and in a second flow regime, the flow characteristics may effect a temporal response of the sensor.