Dosimetry of a novel converging X-ray source for kilovoltage radiotherapy.

PURPOSE: The objective of this work was to evaluate phantom dosimetry of a novel kilovoltage (kV) X-ray source, which employs a stationary tungsten anode and a linearly swept scanning electron beam. The source utilizes converging X-ray collimation along with orthogonal mechanical rotation to distribute surface flux over large area. In this study, this was investigated as a potential solution to fast-falloff limitations expected with kV radiotherapy. This was done with the aim of future clinical development of a lower cost radiotherapy alternative to megavoltage (MV) linac systems. METHODS: Radiochromic film was employed for dosimetry on the kV X-ray source of the linear-converging radiotherapy system (LCRS). The source utilizes charge particle optics to magnetically deflect and focus an electron beam along a stationary, reflection tungsten target in an ultra-high-vacuum stainless-steel chamber. Resulting X-rays were collimated into converging beamlets that span a large planar angle and converge at the system isocenter. In this study, radiochromic film dosimetry was done at 140 and 145 kVp for a designated planning treatment volume (PTV) of 4 cm diameter. An acrylic phantom was employed for dose distribution measurements of stationary and rotational delivery. Film dosimetry was evaluated in planes parallel to the source X-ray window at various depths, as well as in the plane of gantry rotation. RESULTS: At 140 and 145 kVp and using a collimated 4 cm square field at depth, lesion-to-skin dose ratio was shown to improve with additional beams from different relative source positions, where the different beams are focused at the same isocenter and do not overlap at the phantom surface. It was only possible to achieve a 1:1 Dmax -to-surface ratio with four delivery beams, but the ratio improved to 4:1 with 12 beams, focused at the same isocenter depth of 7.8 cm in an acrylic phantom. For the tests conducted, the following Dmax -to-surface ratios were obtained: 0.4:1 lesion-to-skin ratio for stationary delivery from one entry beam, 0.71:1 lesion-to-skin ratio was obtained for two beams, 1.07:1 ratio for four beams, and 4:1 for 12 beams. Dose-depth profiles were evaluated for stationary and rotational dosimetry. Additionally, rotational dosimetry was measured for a case more analogous to a clinical scenario, where the isocenter was located at an off-center simulated lesion. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate potential dose-depth improvements with kV arc therapy by distributing the surface flux with a wide converging beam along with perpendicular mechanical source rotation of the LCRS. The system delivered tolerable dose to a large surface area when a threshold of multiple, separated beams was reached. The radiochromic film data support the feasibility of the construct of the LCRS kV radiotherapy system design.

Soft but Powerful Artificial Muscles Based on 3D Graphene-CNT-Ni Heteronanostructures.

Bioinspired soft ionic actuators, which exhibit large strain and high durability under low input voltages, are regarded as prospective candidates for future soft electronics. However, due to the intrinsic drawback of weak blocking force, the feasible applications of soft ionic actuators are limited until now. An electroactive artificial muscle electro-chemomechanically reinforced with 3D graphene-carbon nanotube-nickel heteronanostructures (G-CNT-Ni) to improve blocking force and bending deformation of the ionic actuators is demonstrated. The G-CNT-Ni heteronanostructure, which provides an electrically conductive 3D network and sufficient contact area with mobile ions in the polymer electrolyte, is embedded as a nanofiller in both ionic polymer and conductive electrodes of the ionic actuators. An ionic exchangeable composite membrane consisting of Nafion, G-CNT-Ni and ionic liquid (IL) shows improved tensile modulus and strength of up to 166% and 98%, respectively, and increased ionic conductivity of 0.254 S m-1 . The ionic actuator exhibits enhanced actuation performances including three times larger bending deformation, 2.37 times higher blocking force, and 4 h durability. The electroactive artificial muscle electro-chemomechanically reinforced with 3D G-CNT-Ni heteronanostructures offers improvements over current soft ionic actuator technologies and can advance the practical engineering applications.

A multiple-shape memory polymer-metal composite actuator capable of programmable control, creating complex 3D motion of bending, twisting, and oscillation.

Development of biomimetic actuators has been an essential motivation in the study of smart materials. However, few materials are capable of controlling complex twisting and bending deformations simultaneously or separately using a dynamic control system. Here, we report an ionic polymer-metal composite actuator having multiple-shape memory effect, and is able to perform complex motion by two external inputs, electrical and thermal. Prior to the development of this type of actuator, this capability only could be realized with existing actuator technologies by using multiple actuators or another robotic system. This paper introduces a soft multiple-shape-memory polymer-metal composite (MSMPMC) actuator having multiple degrees-of-freedom that demonstrates high maneuverability when controlled by two external inputs, electrical and thermal. These multiple inputs allow for complex motions that are routine in nature, but that would be otherwise difficult to obtain with a single actuator. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this MSMPMC actuator is the first solitary actuator capable of multiple-input control and the resulting deformability and maneuverability.

Applications of a New Handheld Reference Point Indentation Instrument Measuring Bone Material Strength.

A novel, hand-held Reference Point Indentation (RPI) instrument, measures how well the bone of living patients and large animals resists indentation. The results presented here are reported in terms of Bone Material Strength, which is a normalized measure of how well the bone resists indentation, and is inversely related to the indentation distance into the bone. We present examples of the instrument's use in: (1) laboratory experiments on bone, including experiments through a layer of soft tissue, (2) three human clinical trials, two ongoing in Barcelona and at the Mayo Clinic, and one completed in Portland, OR, and (3) two ongoing horse clinical trials, one at Purdue University and another at Alamo Pintado Stables in California. The instrument is capable of measuring consistent values when testing through soft tissue such as skin and periosteum, and does so handheld, an improvement over previous Reference Point Indentation instruments. Measurements conducted on horses showed reproducible results when testing the horse through tissue or on bare bone. In the human clinical trials, reasonable and consistent values were obtained, suggesting the Osteoprobe® is capable of measuring Bone Material Strength in vivo, but larger studies are needed to determine the efficacy of the instrument's use in medical diagnosis.