64 results about "Thermal feedback" patented technology

A system for providing feedback during an electrosurgical procedure on a target tissue is provided. The system includes an electrosurgical energy source; an electrode probe assembly connected to the electrosurgical energy source, wherein the electrode probe assembly includes at least one electrode assembly having a needle configured to deliver electrosurgical energy to the target tissue; at least one thermal feedback assembly connected to the electrosurgical energy source, wherein each thermal feedback assembly includes at least one temperature sensor assembly; and a hub configured to selectively support the electrode probe assembly and each thermal feedback assembly such that the needle of the electrode probe assembly and each temperature sensor assembly of each thermal feedback assembly are proximate one another when disposed proximate the target tissue.

An illumination control circuit allows a user to set a desired brightness level and maintains the desired brightness level over temperature and life of a light source. The illumination control circuit uses a dual feedback loop with both optical and thermal feedbacks. The optical feedback loop controls power to the light source during normal operations. The thermal feedback loop overrides the optical feedback loop when the temperature of the light source becomes excessive.

A system for providing feedback during an electrosurgical procedure on a target tissue is provided. The system includes an electrosurgical energy source; an electrode probe assembly connected to the electrosurgical energy source, wherein the electrode probe assembly includes at least one electrode assembly having a needle configured to deliver electrosurgical energy to the target tissue; at least one thermal feedback assembly connected to the electrosurgical energy source, wherein each thermal feedback assembly includes at least one temperature sensor assembly; and a hub configured to selectively support the electrode probe assembly and each thermal feedback assembly such that the needle of the electrode probe assembly and each temperature sensor assembly of each thermal feedback assembly are proximate one another when disposed proximate the target tissue.

An illumination control circuit allows a user to set a desired brightness level and maintains the desired brightness level over temperature and life of a light source. The illumination control circuit uses a dual feedback loop with both optical and thermal feedbacks. The optical feedback loop controls power to the light source during normal operations. The thermal feedback loop overrides the optical feedback loop when the temperature of the light source becomes excessive.

An electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical device adapted to direct energy to tissue, one or more temperature sensors associated with the electrosurgical device, a fluid-flow path leading to the electrosurgical device, and a flow-control device disposed in fluid communication with the fluid-flow path. The system also includes a processor unit communicatively-coupled to the one or more temperature sensors and communicatively-coupled to the flow-control device. The processor unit is configured to control the flow-control device based on determination of a desired fluid-flow rate using one or more electrical signals outputted from the one or more temperature sensors.

Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a method for facilitating surgery including: tracking a position of at least a portion of a surgical implement in a volume of interest; recognizing a surgical plan corresponding to at least a portion of the volume of interest; and providing feedback based on a correspondence between the position of the at least a portion of the surgical implement and the surgical plan. In an embodiment, the feedback is provided in real-time. In an embodiment, the feedback includes at least one of: haptic feedback, thermal feedback, optical feedback, and auditory feedback. In an embodiment, the surgical plan includes a previously generated radiological image. In an embodiment, the surgical plan includes at least one trajectory for the at least a portion of the surgical implement.

A thermal management that redirects the target of read transactions from a thermally failed Dual Inline Memory Module (DIMM) in one mirror, to the corresponding DIMM in the other mirror. The memory controller or MCH would effectively bias the read transactions toward the mirror that is best able to respond based on thermal feedback. Likewise, this may be used as a temporary redirection that continues for only as long as was required to reduce the operating temperature in the failing DIMM.

A method of directing energy to tissue using a fluid-cooled antenna assembly includes the initial step of providing an energy applicator. The energy applicator includes an antenna assembly and a hub providing at least one coolant connection to the energy applicator. The method also includes the steps of providing a coolant supply system including a fluid-flow path fluidly-coupled to the hub for providing fluid flow to the energy applicator, positioning the energy applicator in tissue for the delivery of energy to tissue when the antenna assembly is energized, and providing a thermal-feedback-controlled rate of fluid flow to the antenna assembly when energized using a feedback control system operably-coupled to a flow-control device disposed in fluid communication with the fluid-flow path.

A toothbrush is provided that is employed with a bleaching agent in an oral cavity of a subject. The toothbrush includes a body having a head and a heating element disposed with the head. The heating element is configured to emit heat for heat activation of the bleaching agent. The head includes an engagement portion, which is configured for engagement with at least a portion of the oral cavity. A thermal sensor is disposed with the head. The thermal sensor is configured to sense temperature adjacent to the engagement portion of the head. A temperature adjacent the engagement portion is regulated by a thermal feedback circuit communicating with the thermal sensor and a thermostat disposed with the body to control heat activation of the bleaching agent. The heating element may include a light-emitting source configured to emit heat.

A system to compensate for luminance degradation of an emissive display is provided. As its primary components, the system includes a controller and a temperature sensor. The controller is coupled to the emissive display to provide a driving signal thereby controlling the display luminance. The temperature sensor is located proximate the emissive display and is in electrical communication with the controller. The controller receives a temperature signal from the temperature sensor and varies the luminance based on the temperature signal. As the temperature of the emissive display increases, the controller reduces the display luminance according to a transfer function. The transfer function may have a linear term and / or a non-linear term relating the operating luminance to the display temperature.

Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a method for facilitating surgery including: tracking a position of at least a portion of a surgical implement in a volume of interest; recognizing a surgical plan corresponding to at least a portion of the volume of interest; and providing feedback based on a correspondence between the position of the at least a portion of the surgical implement and the surgical plan. In an embodiment, the feedback is provided in real-time. In an embodiment, the feedback includes at least one of: haptic feedback, thermal feedback, optical feedback, and auditory feedback. In an embodiment, the surgical plan includes a previously generated radiological image. In an embodiment, the surgical plan includes at least one trajectory for the at least a portion of the surgical implement.

An electronic device that provides thermal feedback to a user is described. In particular, when the user provides a setting via tactile interaction with a surface of a user-interface device in the electronic device, a thermal mechanism in the electronic device establishes a temperature gradient on the surface based on the setting. For example, the thermal mechanism may include a heat source that increases a temperature of the portion of the user-interface device and / or a heat sink that decreases a temperature of another portion of the user-interface device. Moreover, the thermal mechanism may dynamically modify the temperature gradient based on the tactile interaction and an environmental condition (such as the temperature) in an external environment that includes the electronic device. Note that the tactile interaction with the user may occur with a physical control object (such as a knob) and / or with a virtual icon displayed on a multi-touch display.

Electro-thermal feedback is utilized for zeroing the thermal conductance between a bolometer type detector element of a pixel in a thermal radiation sensor assembly and the environments through its mechanical support structure and electrical interconnects, thereby limiting the thermal conductance primarily through photon radiation. Zeroing of the thermal conductance associated with the mechanical support and electrical readout interconnect structures is achieved by electro-thermal feedback that adjust the temperature of an intermediate stage by the heating effect of a bipolar transistor amplifier circuit so that the temperature across the mechanical support and electrical interconnects structures are zeroed thereby greatly improving the thermal isolation, the responsivity and sensitivity of the electromagnetic radiation sensor.

A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes at least one input device configured to receive a wager, at least one display device configured to display a wagering game, one or more thermal devices configured to produce a thermal effect, at least one controller in operative communication with the one or more thermal devices, at least one memory device storing instructions. When the instructions are executed by the at least one controller, the one or more thermal devices to produce a thermal effect according to an aspect of the wagering game.

A system and method for determining completion of an ablation procedure is provided. An electrosurgical generator provides an electrosurgical energy source to an electrode probe assembly. The generator is connected to a thermal feedback assembly that includes at least one temperature sensor assembly. The generator includes a computer configured to (1) measure a time of energy delivered to the target tissue, (2) receive a temperature reading from the thermal feedback assembly, (3) estimate a size of an ablation volume based on the temperature reading, a distance between the electrode probe assembly and each temperature sensor assembly, and the measured time, (4) calculate a growth rate of the ablation volume based on the estimated size. The computer may also determine the ablation procedure is complete when the growth rate is less than or equal to a threshold.

A thermal sensor at the output of a switching amplifier senses heat dissipation at the output switch. If an overheating condition is sensed, gain of the digital input signal is lowered to reduce output power of the audio output signal.

A proportional micro-valve for regulating the temperature of an electronic component comprising a cooling subsystem associated with each thermal zone of the electronic component, a cooling circuit carries cooling fluid to a heat exchanger associated with each thermal zone, the flow of which is controlled by a valve element, which is in turn controlled by a sensing circuit which reacts to the temperature of the underlying thermal zone to proportionally increase or decrease the rate of cooling fluid flowing through the heat exchanger based upon the temperature of the thermal zone. Cooling fluid substantially continuously flows through the sensing circuit, regardless of whether the valve element is open or closed. The sensing circuit provides feedback to a temperature-responsive mechanical amplifier for opening and closing the valve element.

A Built-In-Self-Test (BIST) state machine providing BIST testing operations associated with a thermal sensor device(s) located in proximity to the circuit(s) to which BIST testing operations are applied, and a design structure including the BIST state machine embodied in a machine readable medium are provided. The thermal sensor device compares the current temperature value sensed to a predetermined temperature threshold and determines whether the predetermined threshold is exceeded. A BIST control element suspends the BIST testing operation in response to meeting or exceeding said predetermined temperature threshold, and initiates resumption of BIST testing operations when the current temperature value normalizes or is reduced. A BIST testing methodology implements steps for mitigating the exceeded temperature threshold condition in response to determining that the predetermined temperature threshold is met or exceeded. These steps include one of: ignoring the BIST results of the suspect circuit(s), or by causing the BIST state machine to enter a wait state and adjusting operating parameters of the suspect circuits while in the wait state.

A power management system for a lighting system including at least one lighting emitting diode is disclosed. In one embodiment, the light emitting diode(s) of the lighting system are operated under a constant temperature. In another embodiment, the light emitting diode(s) of the lighting system are operated under a constant temperature difference to the ambient temperature. A thermal feedback loop is employed to achieve the constant temperature or the constant temperature difference.

Electro-thermal feedback is utilized for zeroing the thermal conductance between a bolometer type detector element of a pixel in a thermal radiation sensor assembly and the environments through its mechanical support structure and electrical interconnects, thereby limiting the thermal conductance primarily through photon radiation. Zeroing of the thermal conductance associated with the mechanical support and electrical readout interconnect structures is achieved by electro-thermal feedback that adjust the temperature of an intermediate stage by the heating effect of a bipolar transistor amplifier circuit so that the temperature across the mechanical support and electrical interconnects structures are zeroed thereby greatly improving the thermal isolation, the responsivity and sensitivity of the electromagnetic radiation sensor.

A computer mouse interface system has a mouse section which includes a tactile feedback section arranged to stimulate a finger of a user through a plurality of pins, so that the user can feel the nature of a virtual object displayed on a computer screen. The system further has a thermal feedback section arranged on a side of the mouse section to provide thermal information of the virtual object to the finger of the user. The thermal feedback section comprises a thermoelement for discharging or absorbing heat in response to a control signal according to a temperature variation when a users finger is contact with the virtual object, a cover brought into contact with a surface of the thermoelement to receive heat from the thermoelement, and a cooler brought into contact with another surface of the thermoelement to absorb heat discharged from the thermoelement.

A personal care device such as a hair dryer with thermal feedback sensor near the air-outlet for automatic heating power reduction when a pre-determined threshold temperature has reached. The device further includes graphical and numerical displays indicating its operating conditions.

A readout circuit for a bolometer type sensor including a pair of back-to-back temperature sensing diodes connected in an electro-thermal feedback loop including a semiconductor amplifier circuit located in an intermediate stage between a detector stage and a heat bath stage and wherein the heat generated by the amplifier equalizes the temperature between the intermediate stage and the detector stage. The readout circuitry also includes circuitry for removing local threshold voltage variations and low frequency 1 / f noise components in the readout signal while providing high temperature sensitivity and relatively high voltage gain.

Production of non-spherical moulded glass and its device are disclosed. The procedure is carried out by raising temperature shape temperature T1 with normal pressure and mould core position as initial position, keeping temperature for 10-15 seconds, raising pressure to the first pressure P3, keeping pressure for 5 seconds, releasing mould core, raising pressure to shape pressure P1, keeping temperature and pressure for 45 seconds at shape temperature, lowering pressure to cooling pressure P4, cooling for 15 seconds, and lowering temperature to cool temperature T3 with mould core increase. The apparatus consists of thermal feedback system, cooling system and pressure system. It can develop non-spherical lens surface Ra value and reach to nanometer precision.

A thermal management that redirects the target of read transactions from a thermally failed Dual Inline Memory Module (DIMM) in one mirror, to the corresponding DIMM in the other mirror. The memory controller or MCH would effectively bias the read transactions toward the mirror that is best able to respond based on thermal feedback. Likewise, this may be used as a temporary redirection that continues for only as long as was required to reduce the operating temperature in the failing DIMM.

The present invention implements a software controlled thermal feedback system for battery charging circuitry in portable devices, specifically in cellular telephones. The charging hardware block is integrated into a mixed-signal analog base-band (ABB) circuit. In addition to standard function controls, integrated within the ABB are silicon temperature sensors used to monitor the temperature of any silicon components integrated on the ABB and detect any temperature change due to thermal heating. The temperature value is passed to the digital base band (DBB) circuit. Here, a microcontroller is programmed to perform power management functions relating to the ABB. Thermal control software, implemented on the DBB microcontroller, monitors the silicon temperature of the ABB and adjusts the power levels on the ABB accordingly to provide a controlled chip temperature.

The present invention relates to a feedback device and a method of providing thermal feedback using the same. A method for calibration of an intensity of a thermal feedback of a feedback device may comprise: outputting the thermal feedback in order from a weak intensity to a strong intensity among a plurality of intensities of the thermal feedback; obtaining a first user input; setting an intensity of the thermal feedback outputted at the time of the obtaining the first user input to a lowest intensity of the thermal feedback; obtaining a second user input; setting an intensity of the thermal feedback outputted at the time of the obtaining the second user input to a highest intensity of the thermal feedback; setting at least one intermediate intensity; and outputting the thermal feedback by using the lowest intensity, the highest intensity and the at least one intermediate intensity.

The present invention relates to a feedback device and a thermal feedback provision method using the same. The thermal feedback provision method may include checking first operating power applied to a first thermoelectric couple group for a first thermoelectric operation and second operating power applied to a second thermoelectric couple group for a second thermoelectric operation when the first thermoelectric operation is initiated in the first thermoelectric couple group to initiate the output of the first thermal feedback after the second thermoelectric operation is initiated in the second thermoelectric couple group to initiate the output of the second thermal feedback and include applying cognitive enhancement power for enhancing a user's cognition to the first thermoelectric couple group from a time point at which the output of the first thermal feedback is initiated up to a first time point so that the user's cognition of the first thermal feedback is enhanced.