Abstract: A filament accumulator assembly is provided containing a filament inlet for receiving a continuous filament from the filament source and a filament outlet for receiving the continuous filament from the filament inlet, the continuous filament forming a filament loop between the filament exiting the filament inlet and entering the filament outlet. The filament accumulator assembly further comprises a filament track defining at least part of an inner boundary and an outer boundary of a circuitous filament route between the filament inlet and the filament outlet, and the filament loop is bound by the filament track. The filament loop has a diameter that varies across a range of potential diameters within the filament track.

Abstract: A filament accumulator assembly is provided containing a filament inlet for receiving a continuous filament from the filament source and a filament outlet for receiving the continuous filament from the filament inlet, the continuous filament forming a filament loop between the filament exiting the filament inlet and entering the filament outlet. The filament accumulator assembly further comprises a filament track defining at least part of an inner boundary and an outer boundary of a circuitous filament route between the filament inlet and the filament outlet, and the filament loop is bound by the filament track. The filament loop has a diameter that varies across a range of potential diameters within the filament track.

Abstract: The present invention provides an integral cooling system within an FFF nozzle manifold. The system includes a cooling reservoir formed within the body of the nozzle manifold, adapted to circulate a cooling liquid around the filament chamber and nozzle orifice. The coolant channel is situated to be in close physical proximity to the chamber and orifice, and to be thermally coupled to both via the body of the nozzle manifold. In addition, the interior of the cooling chamber is constructed so as to maximize the available surface area within a given cross-sectional geometry, thereby promoting increase heat transfer between the nozzle manifold and the cooling liquid.

Abstract: Methods and systems for generating images including one or more anatomical objects imaged in a volume data set are provided. Volume data from a 3D or 4D ultrasound imaging system is obtained, wherein the volume data represents structures inside a body of a subject. Then, data values of selected positions in the volume data along a viewing direction are mapped to a color and opacity. Predetermined tissue similarity values for the selected positions in the volume data are obtained, wherein the tissue similarity value is associated with a selected tissue or structure. For example, the tissue or structure may be blood vessels, bone, or organs such as a liver. The opacity and lighting for each particular position is then modified based on the obtained predetermined tissue similarity value and, finally, one or more images including the selected positions representing the selected tissue or structure are generated.

Abstract: Methods and systems for generating images including one or more anatomical objects imaged in a volume data set are provided. Volume data from a 3D or 4D ultrasound imaging system is obtained, wherein the volume data represents structures inside a body of a subject. Then, data values of selected positions in the volume data along a viewing direction are mapped to a color and opacity. Predetermined tissue similarity values for the selected positions in the volume data are obtained, wherein the tissue similarity value is associated with a selected tissue or structure. For example, the tissue or structure may be blood vessels, bone, or organs such as a liver. The opacity and lighting for each particular position is then modified based on the obtained predetermined tissue similarity value and, finally, one or more images including the selected positions representing the selected tissue or structure are generated.