 Pyramid processor integrated circuit |
| The invention is described below with reference to an exemplary pyramid IC and to FIGS. 1-11. W... |
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| Method for generating non-visible window edges in image compositing systems |
| The invention is a method used with a system for compositing a foreground scene including a subject ... |
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| Modulator circuit for use with a plurality of operating standards |
| OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring firstly to FIG. 1, a modulator 2 in accordance with a ... |
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| Circuit arrangement for demodulating an intermediate-frequency video signal |
| It is an object of the invention to improve the circuit arrangement of the type described in the ... |
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| Sealed end cap mounting for laminated insulator core |
| The present invention provides an insulator comprising a pair of fixing caps and an elongate core ... |
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| Image processing apparatus |
| What is claimed is: 1. An image processing apparatus comprising: A/D converter means for converting ... |
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| Photographing apparatus balancing brightness for microscopes |
| It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a photographing apparatus for ... |
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| Automatic focus control for a microscope |
| The object of the present invention is a process and an apparatus which obviates this disadvantage. ... |
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| Method and apparatus for automatic optical recognition of road signs |
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Ambulatory clearance function monitor
| Details |
Inventors: Rabito, Carlos A.; Moore, Richard H.;
Assignee: The General Hospital Corporation (Boston, MA)
Primary Examiner: Sykes; Angela D.
Assistant Examiner: Gilbert; Samuel
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Choate, Hall & Stewart
Accurate and continuous monitoring of clearance function is obtained by determining the depletion of a labelled substance from the extracellular body fluid using an external monitor which detects from within the defined tissue volume. The detector of the external monitor is contained within a barrier which functions to both exclude external influences and to functionally isolate the volume of extracellular fluid to be monitored. |
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A clearance function monitor according to the invention includes a detector, positionable on the body surface or positionable noninvasively in a body cavity, that is capable of detecting the presence of a detectable substance in adjacent and proximate tissues, and includes means for defining a tissue volume within which the detectable substance can be so detected.
The substance can be specific for clearance by any of a variety of organs that perform a clearance function, or that metabolize a detectable substance, for example, the liver, the kidney, the thyroid, the brain or bone.
The detector is sensitive to energy radiating from the detectable substance, and the means for defining the tissue volume can include a barrier, substantially opaque to the radiation, that has defined in it an opening limiting the direction from which the energy can pass to the sensible part of the detector.
For example, the detector can be a radioactivity detector and the detectable substance radioactive.
The barrier generally surrounds the detector.
The geometry and dimensions of the opening in relation to the sensible portion of the detector generally determines the shape and dimensions of the space from which detectable radiation can reach the detector.
It will be appreciated that not all radiation reaching the detector by way of the opening will have followed an undeflected course from the detectable substance.
Generally, less deflected radiation can be expected to have a higher energy at the detector than more deflected radiation.
It will also be appreciated that the capacity of the radiation to pass through the tissues depends, among other factors, upon the initial energy and type of the particular radiation, and upon the opacity of the tissues to the particular radiation.
Thus, a further limit on the dimensions of the defined tissue volume from which detectable radiation can reach the detector can be provided, for example, by using a discriminator to reject radiation reaching the detector below (or above) a selected threshold energy level
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Image Analysis 
