Abstract: An additive manufacturing system for additive manufacturing a feedstock material upon a substrate comprising a feedstock supplying system configured to supply the feedstock material; and an extrusion die system having a rotating drive system configured to rotate an extrusion die member relative to and in physical contact with the stationary feedstock material to generate friction sufficient to locally heat the feedstock material.

Abstract: A method of joining a metal part and a polymer/polymer composite part comprising providing a metal part; providing a polymer or polymer composite part; inserting an insert layer between the metal part and the polymer or polymer composite part; and applying heat to the metal part to a temperature above the melting temperatures and below a degradation temperature of the polymer or polymer composite part and the insert layer and simultaneously applying pressure to the combination of the metal part, the polymer or polymer composite part, and the insert layer to combine the metal part and the polymer or polymer composite part into a joined assembly having a chemical bond therebetween.

Abstract: A method of joining a metal part and a polymer/polymer composite part comprising providing a metal part; providing a polymer or polymer composite part; inserting an insert layer between the metal part and the polymer or polymer composite part; and applying heat to the metal part to a temperature above the melting temperatures and below a degradation temperature of the polymer or polymer composite part and the insert layer and simultaneously applying pressure to the combination of the metal part, the polymer or polymer composite part, and the insert layer to combine the metal part and the polymer or polymer composite part into a joined assembly having a chemical bond therebetween.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide improved techniques for dosimetry in radiotherapy treatment. In a fractionated radiotherapy treatment, once the first fraction is complete and has been verified, data is generated which is representative of the dose development during delivery of the treatment for that patient and that treatment plan. This data can be used as a comparator for the instantaneous doses observed during subsequent fractions, allowing real-time dosimetry verification for the second and subsequent fractions after a successful first fraction.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide improved techniques for dosimetry in radiotherapy treatment. In a fractionated radiotherapy treatment, the expected dose buildup is computed in advance of a fraction delivery based on the instructions in the treatment plan. The progress of the fraction is then monitored using an electronic portal image detector (EPID), and fluence data from the EPID used to calculate an estimate of the actual dose build-up in real time. This estimate can be compared to the expected dose buildup in order to validate the fraction.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for evaluating treatment parameters for a patient undergoing radiotherapy. The method includes the step of generating a portal dosimetry image showing differences between a planning image obtained prior to a treatment session and a portal image obtained during the treatment session. A database of prior portal dosimetry results is accessed, and a processor is used to perform a similarity measurement between the portal dosimetry image and the prior portal dosimetry results. Based on the similarity measurement, the system determines whether radiation was delivered as planned during the treatment session.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide improved techniques for dosimetry in radiotherapy treatment. In a fractionated radiotherapy treatment, the expected dose buildup is computed in advance of a fraction delivery based on the instructions in the treatment plan. The progress of the fraction is then monitored using an electronic portal image detector (EPID), and fluence data from the EPID used to calculate an estimate of the actual dose build-up in real time. This estimate can be compared to the expected dose buildup in order to validate the fraction.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for evaluating treatment parameters for a patient undergoing radiotherapy. The method includes the step of generating a portal dosimetry image showing differences between a planning image obtained prior to a treatment session and a portal image obtained during the treatment session. A database of prior portal dosimetry results is accessed, and a processor is used to perform a similarity measurement between the portal dosimetry image and the prior portal dosimetry results. Based on the similarity measurement, the system determines whether radiation was delivered as planned during the treatment session.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for evaluating treatment parameters for a patient undergoing radiotherapy. The method includes the step of generating a portal dosimetry image showing differences between a planning image obtained prior to a treatment session and a portal image obtained during the treatment session. A database of prior portal dosimetry results is accessed, and a processor is used to perform a similarity measurement between the portal dosimetry image and the prior portal dosimetry results. Based on the similarity measurement, the system determines whether radiation was delivered as planned during the treatment session.