Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100006411 | SWITCH ATTACHMENT ASSEMBLY - An assembly for installation of a switch in the dashboard of a vehicle without the use of any tools. The assembly comprises a housing, a resilient member such as a washer spring, and a bezel. The switch is secured to the housing and subsequently inserted into the bezel which is integrated with the dashboard. The installation of the switch, which is secured to the housing is then completed through the interaction of a profiled wall on the bezel and a flange on the housing with the washer spring interposed between. | 01-14-2010 |
20110132735 | ELECTRICAL SWITCH ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A 5-WAY TOGGLE MECHANISM AND ILLUMINATED FLEXIBLE LAYER - A switch assembly is provided that in one aspect provides a switch knob that can move in up to five directions by using a plunger element that moves with respect to an actuation plate such that tilting the knob in any of four directions uses the plate to activate underlying domes whereas pressing the knob towards the assembly provides a fifth function by moving the plunger element with respect to the plate and thus activating a central dome beneath the plunger element. In another aspect, the switch assembly enables a larger area of illumination on an illuminated film by interposing a light pipe between an actuation dome and the film, the light pipe also serving as a plunger element to enable touch actuation by pressing the film, moving the plunger towards the dome and activating the dome. | 06-09-2011 |
20150146450 | LIGHT CONSOLIDATION ASSEMBLY - A light consolidation assembly for attaching to a light pipe includes a housing having therein at least a first light source configured to generate a first light and a second light source configured to generate a different, second light. The light consolidation assembly also includes a light consolidator having a body including a light entry end coupled to the housing and a light exit end. The light entry end has multiple spaced-apart branches that converge into a stem that extends from the multiple branches to the light exit end. The light consolidator is configured to receive the first and second lights into respective first and second branches of the multiple branches. The first and second lights are directed into the stem and exit the light consolidator at the light exit end for transmission through a light pipe disposed at the light exit end of the light consolidator. | 05-28-2015 |
20150219818 | LIGHT ASSEMBLY WITH LIGHT GUIDE - A light assembly is provided that includes a light guide, multiple light pipes, and multiple light sources. The light guide has an elongated body extending along a longitudinal axis. The light guide includes multiple segments arranged axially along a length of the body. Each segment has a light receiving region and a light emitting region. The light pipes are disposed along the light receiving regions and extend parallel to the longitudinal axis. Each of the multiple light sources is optically coupled to an attachment end of a corresponding light pipe. The light emitted by each light source is received by the corresponding light pipe at the attachment end and transmitted through the light pipe towards a distal end of the light pipe. Adjacent segments of the light guide receive light from different light pipes and emit such light from the light guide through the corresponding light emitting regions. | 08-06-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080210347 | Superalloy Component Welding at Ambient Temperature - A method for welding superalloy components at ambient temperature conditions while reducing the propensity of the superalloy material to crack as a result of the weld. A root pass region of the weld is formed using a filler material that exhibits ductility that is higher than that of the base superalloy material. The ductile material mitigates stress in the root region, thereby preventing the formation of cracks. A remaining portion of the weld is formed using a filler material that essentially matches the base superalloy material. The method may utilize a pre-weld heat treatment to grow a gamma prime precipitate phase in the superalloy material, a chill fixture to remove heat during welding, a relief cut to reduce stress in the root region, and a conventional post-weld heat treatment. | 09-04-2008 |
20100116793 | Welded Repair of Defects Lying on the Inside of Components - The repair of cracks according to the state of the art comprises the fact that defects located on the inside must be worked outward in order to be able to be welded closed. The method according to the invention proposes not to work out cracks located on the inside, but to melt the crack located on the inside utilizing a flux agent. | 05-13-2010 |
20120223057 | GAS TUNGSTEN ARC WELDING USING FLUX COATED ELECTRODES - A method of applying a weld using a gas tungsten arc welding procedure. A filler element is provided to a welding location. The filler element includes a first material used during formation of a weld, and a second material that is capable of producing a slag upon melting thereof. A welding arc provides heat that melts portions of first and second components and the filler element proximate to the welding location to form a weld pool. The second material melts and forms a slag, which flows to an outer surface of the weld pool and shields the weld pool from exposure to reactive elements in the atmosphere. Upon cooling of the weld pool, the weld pool solidifies to form a weld between the first component and the second component. | 09-06-2012 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080205738 | Method and Apparatus for Calibration and Correction of Gray Levels in Images - A method and apparatus for calibrating an apparatus that acquires a sequence of radiographic images and correcting images of an object under observation. For each image of a sequence acquired by the apparatus and for a given frequency of acquisition of the sequence, the apparatus is calibrated by determining the value of the variation of a mean of gray levels in at least one zone of interest of the current image of at least one calibration device, the variation being determined relative to the mean gray level of the first image of the sequence in each zone of interest. The determination of the variation is reiterated for a series of images sequences acquired using calibration devices resulting in first images of mean gray levels different from one sequence to another. Each image of an image sequence of the object under observation is corrected, comprising zones of observation having different gray levels by subtracting from the current image the variation of one gray level relative to the first image of the object, the subtraction being a function of the gray level considered from each zone of observation. | 08-28-2008 |
20090304253 | METHOD OF PROCESSING RADIOLOGICAL IMAGES, AND, IN PARTICULAR, MAMMOGRAPHIC IMAGES - A method of processing a radiological image of an organ. The method may comprise generating a recombined image (R) from at least one previously acquired low energy image (L) and one high energy image (H) of a portion of the organ. The recombined image comprises a background and one or more areas corresponding to the presence of a contrast medium in the organ. The method may further comprise correcting the recombined image (R) by compensating (C) for the nonuniformities present in the background to obtain a compensated recombined image in which the background has a substantially uniform grey level. | 12-10-2009 |
20090304256 | METHOD OF EXTRAPOLATING A GREY-LEVEL BIDIMENSIONAL IMAGE IN A RADIOGRAPHY DEVICE AND A RADIOGRAPHY DEVICE IMPLEMENTING SUCH A METHOD - A method of extrapolating a bidimensional grey-level image using a radiography device. | 12-10-2009 |
20110019891 | MEDICAL IMAGING PROCESS FOR TRIPLE-ENERGY MODELING, AND DEVICE FOR IMPLEMENTING SUCH A PROCESS - A method for X-ray imaging of a body using an imaging device comprising an image sensor and an X-ray emitter which operates at different emission spectra, wherein the method includes: acquiring a first image resulting from the passage through the body of X-rays emitted by the X-ray emitter with a first emission spectrum; calculating characteristics of the body on the basis of the first image, and calculating a second and a third emission spectrum based on the characteristics of the body, wherein the first, second and third emission spectra are distinct from one another; acquiring a second and third image resulting from the passage through the body of X-rays emitted by the X-ray emitter with the second and third emission spectrum respectively; and modeling the body by generating thickness charts for different materials comprising the body on the basis of the three images. | 01-27-2011 |
20110150178 | METHOD FOR PROCESSING TOMOSYNTHESIS ACQUISITIONS IN ORDER TO OBTAIN A REPRESENTATION OF THE CONTENTS OF AN ORGAN - A method for processing tomosynthesis images of an object of interest, using an imaging system, the imaging system comprising an X-ray source positioned facing a detector on which the object of interest is positioned. With the method of an embodiment of the invention, it is possible to obtain a representation of the contents of an organ. | 06-23-2011 |
20120045111 | IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD TO DETERMINE SUSPECT REGIONS IN A TISSUE MATRIX, AND USE THEREOF FOR 3D NAVIGATION THROUGH THE TISSUE MATRIX - A method to generate a final image with a medical imaging system, wherein the final image highlights suspect regions in a tissue matrix and wherein the final image is generated from a first image and from previously acquired images of the tissue matrix is provided. The method comprises: creating a 3D map of suspicion from the previously acquired medical images; generating a 2D map of suspicion by projecting all or part of the 3D map of suspicion onto a plane from a point reproducing the conditions of acquisition of the first image; and generating a final 2D image of the tissue matrix from the first image and/or from the 2D map of suspicion, wherein the final 2D image highlights suspect regions in the tissue matrix. | 02-23-2012 |
20120207283 | TEST PHANTOM FOR TOMOGRAPHIC IMAGING AND NOTABLY FOR BREAST TOMOSYNTHESIS - A test phantom for tomographic imaging, the phantom comprising an assembly of elementary structures defining a 3D mesh, wherein each elementary structure comprises a chief constituent material corresponding to an X-ray attenuation simulating a glandularity, wherein the elementary structures are in at least two types of chief constituent materials corresponding to different X-ray attenuations. | 08-16-2012 |
20130044861 | METHOD FOR ACQUIRING MORPHOLOGY OF A BREAST - An imaging method performed by a device comprising an X-ray emitting source, a receiver positioned facing the source, and a support on which a subject or organ to be imaged is positioned, the method comprises defining a first set of orientations of the source and a second set of orientations of the source, and acquiring images at the defined orientations of the source, wherein if the first set of orientations comprises an orientation that the second set of orientations does not comprise, only one image is acquired at the orientation, and if both the first set of orientations and the second set of orientations comprise the same orientation, at least two images are acquired at distinct acquisition parameters at the orientation. | 02-21-2013 |
20150110239 | METHOD FOR ACQUIRING MORPHOLOGY OF A BREAST - An imaging method performed by a device comprising an X-ray emitting source, a receiver positioned facing the source, and a support on which a subject or organ to be imaged is positioned, the method comprises defining a first set of orientations of the source and a second set of orientations of the source, and acquiring images at the defined orientations of the source, wherein it the first set of orientations comprises an orientation that the second set of orientations does not comprise, only one image is acquired at the orientation, and if both the first set of orientations and the second set of orientations comprise the same orientation, at least two images are acquired at distinct acquisition parameters at the orientation, | 04-23-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080219567 | Tomosynthesis imaging data compression system and method - A technique and system are provided for compression of tomosynthesis imaging data. In an embodiment of the present technique, tomosynthesis imaging data may be compressed by processing a stack of tomosynthesis images such that differences between some or all of the images or estimates of the images are encoded. In another embodiment of the present technique, tomosynthesis imaging data may be compressed by differentially compressing two or more regions within the one or more tomosynthesis imaging datasets. In addition, there is provided tangible, machine readable media, with code executable to perform the acts of obtaining one or more tomosynthesis imaging datasets and compressing the one or more tomosynthesis imaging datasets using one or more compression algorithms. | 09-11-2008 |
20090262887 | MAMMOGRAPHY SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ITS OPERATION - A mammography system including a compression device, comprising two compression members to compress a breast, a sensor to sense the pressure exerted by the breast on one of the members and/or a device to determine the distance between the two members, an X-ray image acquisition system, means to adjust an initial position of the members. The system further comprises means to monitor variations in pressure and/or variations in thickness relative to their initial value, for an estimation of the risk of breast movement. The system further comprises means to present the user with information signalling breast movement, in relation to the estimation. | 10-22-2009 |
20110150172 | MEDICAL IMAGING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A medical imaging device capable of determining the number of projections in which at least one point located above or at the level of the object support surface is present. | 06-23-2011 |
20120106697 | METHOD FOR ESTIMATING AND CORRECTING SCATTERING IN MAMMOGRAPHY - A method for correcting at least one image of an object obtained with a mammography system is provided. The method comprises: acquiring a pre-exposure image of an object to determine the acquisition conditions for main images, the pre-exposure image comprising regions corresponding to the projection of radio-opaque elements, wherein a mask comprising radio-opaque elements is in an acquisition position; acquiring the main images resulting from the passing through the object of X-rays at higher doses than the dose used for acquisition of the pre-exposure image, wherein the mask comprising radio-opaque elements is in a retracted position; extracting regions from the pre-exposure image which correspond to the projection of radio-opaque elements; and determining the contribution of X-ray scatter at every point of the at least one image of the object, on the basis of the regions extracted from the pre-exposure image. | 05-03-2012 |
20130231561 | DEVICE FOR ASSISTING WITH THE HANDLING OF AN INSTRUMENT OR TOOL - A device for assisting with the handling of an instrument or tool, the device comprising a jointed mechanical structure on a support, wherein an instrument or tool may be attached, motor drives configured to actuate the jointed mechanical structure, according to a number of degrees of freedom of less than that which the structure provides to the instrument or tool, and an automatic control, wherein the automatic control drives the motor drives in order to facilitate the meeting of a constraint on position and/or velocity parameters of the instrument or tool, which constraint the motor drives by themselves, independently of handling by an operator, cannot entirely meet. | 09-05-2013 |
20150157287 | MEDICAL IMAGING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A medical imaging device capable of determining the number of projections in which at least one point located above or at the level of the object support surface is present. | 06-11-2015 |