Paddle

About: Paddle is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 5649 publications have been published within this topic receiving 28389 citations.

Mammography compression paddle

Abstract: The present invention provides a mammographic compression technique which permits the paddle to be aligned in any angular view with the cutout portion of the paddle positioned over the implant to reduce the amount of compression of the implant thereby lessening the blockage of the breast tissue. The invention comprises a compression paddle formed of x-ray transmissive material having sidewalls extending normally from a planar bottom surrounding the periphery which lays outside of the cutout portion.

Multiple station inventory control system

Abstract: An inventory control system may include one or more paddles, a position of which is changed by adding or removing items to be inventoried, a plurality of encoder strips, each connected for motion with a paddle, and a plurality of detectors at least some of which are each responsive to the motion of an encoder strip to determine the addition or removal of the items. The encoding strip may be in the form of a loop mounted for rotation or a linear member such as self coiling strip. An alternate embodiment may include an illumination target mounted for motion with each paddle and a light source and detector for determining motion of the target.

Automated ultrasound scanning on a dual-modality breast imaging system: coverage and motion issues and solutions.

Abstract: Objective. We are developing an automated ultrasound imaging-mammography system wherein a digital mammography unit has been augmented with a motorized ultrasound transducer carriage above a special compression paddle. Challenges of this system are acquiring complete coverage of the breast and minimizing motion. We assessed these problems and investigated methods to increase coverage and stabilize the compressed breast. Methods. Visual tracings of the breast-to-paddle contact area and breast periphery were made for 10 patients to estimate coverage area. Various motion artifacts were evaluated in 6 patients. Nine materials were tested for coupling the paddle to the breast. Fourteen substances were tested for coupling the transducer to the paddle in lateral-to-medial and medial-to-lateral views and filling the gap between the peripheral breast and paddle. In-house image registration software was used to register adjacent ultrasound sweeps. Results. The average breast contact area was 56%. The average percentage of the peripheral air gap filled with ultrasound gel was 61%. Shallow patient breathing proved equivalent to breath holding, whereas speech and sudden breathing caused unacceptable artifacts. An adhesive spray that preserves image quality was found to be best for coupling the breast to the paddle and minimizing motion. A highly viscous ultrasound gel proved most effective for coupling the transducer to the paddle for lateral-to-medial and medial-to-lateral views and for edge fill-in. Conclusions. The challenges of automated ultrasound scanning in a multimodality breast imaging system have been addressed by developing methods to fill in peripheral gaps, minimize patient motion, and register and reconstruct multisweep ultrasound image volumes.

Floating, water current-driven electrical power generation system

Abstract: A floating, water current-driven electrical power generation system has a hull supporting one or more paddle wheels. The unit is tethered in a stream or river so that the moving water turns the paddle wheel coupled to an electrical generator. A transmission matches stream flow conditions to the electrical generator. Stabilizing fins on the hull bottom help keep the hull properly aligned in the stream's current. Built-in leg structures are sized to prevent bottoming of the paddle wheel during periods of low water in the stream or river. Mounts are provided for an outboard motor useful for propelling the unit to a desired location. Larger versions of the system may be equipped with a boat mooring facility allowing a boat to propel the unit to a desired position in a stream or river.