Abstract: A combined force- and temperature-sensing array includes an array of drive plates, an array of sense plates corresponding the drive plates, and a layer of dielectric material separating the drive and sense plates. A diode with a forward junction voltage is connected between at least one of the drive plates and at least one of the sense plates. A multiplexer is operative to select between an electrical pulse or an electrical current for delivery to the at least one drive plate. Circuitry is provided for sensing an applied force resulting from a change in capacitance between the at least one drive plate and the at least one sense plate when the electrical pulse is delivered, and for sensing a temperature resulting from a change in the forward junction voltage of the diode when the current is delivered. The sensor array may be provided as a shoe insert for diabetics with neuropathy.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for treating body tissues through narrow body passages employs an elongated cantilevered beam having a proximal end supported in a rigid block and a narrower distal end extendable through the narrow passages. One or more piezoelectric actuators are fixed to the beam surface and energized from an AC source provided by an electrical excitation system through electrodes interspersed with the piezoelectric actuators to produce oscillatory motion of the beam distal end in multiple modes of movement.

Abstract: A smart light-emitting-diode (LED) bulb includes apparatus enabling the bulb to be turned ON, OFF, or dimmed without the use of a wall switch. Such apparatus may include circuitry responsive to rotating the LED portion of the bulb, circuitry responsive to touching or tapping on the bulb, or a Bluetooth or WiFi interconnection enabling the bulb to be controlled using a smartphone or other device executing a bulb-control application. Other apparatus may include a microphone enabling the bulb to be controlled with a voice, sound or music. In other embodiments, apparatus enabling the bulb to be turned ON, OFF, or dimmed may include a power line communication (PLC) interface enabling the bulb or bulbs to be controlled via the Internet. A camera or image sensor may be provided enabling the bulb to be gesture-controlled. A system may include a plurality of smart LED light bulbs.

Abstract: A combined force- and temperature-sensing array includes an array of drive plates, an array of sense plates corresponding the drive plates, and a layer of dielectric material separating the drive and sense plates. A diode with a forward junction voltage is connected between at least one of the drive plates and at least one of the sense plates. A multiplexer is operative to select between an electrical pulse or an electrical current for delivery to the at least one drive plate. Circuitry is provided for sensing an applied force resulting from a change in capacitance between the at least one drive plate and the at least one sense plate when the electrical pulse is delivered, and for sensing a temperature resulting from a change in the forward junction voltage of the diode when the current is delivered. The sensor array may be provided as a shoe insert for diabetics with neuropathy.

Abstract: Electrical feedback is provided to a user who cannot receive full sensation from a body part due to amputation, neuropathy or other condition. A sensor array includes an array of capacitive force-sensing elements operative to sense axial and shear forces applied to that element. Temperature may also be sensed at each force-sensor location. An electrode matrix, adapted for external placement in an area on a user of the sensor array, includes an array of electrodes in physical correspondence to the array of capacitive sensing elements of the sensor array. An electronic controller is configured to receive electrical signals representative of the axial and shear forces applied to the sensor array and drive the electrode matrix with electrical stimulation signals corresponding to the electrical signals received from the sensor array, thereby enabling the user to experience force and/or temperature sensations experienced by the body part through the electrode matrix.

Abstract: A tissue-modifying catheter adapted for use with an MRI machine includes an elongated hollow sheath configured for intraluminal introduction with proximal and distal open ends. A coil of electrically conductive, non-magnetic wire, disposed at the proximal open end of the sheath is in electrical communication with an electrical waveform generator through a set of electrical conductors entering into the open proximal end of the sheath. A non-magnetic end effector is physically or mechanically coupled to the coil of wire, such that when a voltage is imposed upon the coil of wire through the waveform generator, the coil experiences a directional torque due to the presence of the MRI-oriented magnetic field, causing the end effector to interact with surrounding tissue. The waveform generator preferably delivers a time-varying waveform such as sinusoid that may be synchronized with the MRI-oriented magnetic field. The catheter may include a plurality of different end effectors for different application.

Abstract: A piezo-driven, vibrating beam is applicable to surgical procedures. A rod of piezoelectric material defines a length with proximal and distal ends. A pattern of electrodes, disposed adjacent to and along the length of the rod of piezoelectric material, is adapted for connection to a generator operative to stimulate the piezoelectric material, causing the rod to assume one or more vibratory states. In preferred embodiments, the proximal end of the rod of piezoelectric material is adapted for coupling to a blocking mass causing the vibratory states to be concentrated at the distal end of the rod of piezoelectric material. The pattern of electrodes may comprise interdigitated fingers, and the system may further include a material encapsulating the rod and the pattern of electrodes. Preferred embodiments may further include a plurality of coextensive, parallel rods forming a basic unit, each rod having a separate pattern of electrodes adjacent thereto.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for treating body tissues through narrow body passages employs an elongated cantilevered beam having a proximal end supported in a rigid block and a narrower distal end extendable through the narrow passages. One or more piezoelectric actuators are fixed to the beam surface and energized from an AC source provided by an electrical excitation system through electrodes interspersed with the piezoelectric actuators to produce oscillatory motion of the beam distal end in multiple modes of movement.

Abstract: Electrical feedback is provided to a user who cannot receive full sensation from a body part due to amputation, neuropathy or other condition. A sensor array includes an array of capacitive force-sensing elements operative to sense axial and shear forces applied to that element. Temperature may also be sensed at each force-sensor location. An electrode matrix, adapted for external placement in an area on a user of the sensor array, includes an array of electrodes in physical correspondence to the array of capacitive sensing elements of the sensor array. An electronic controller is configured to receive electrical signals representative of the axial and shear forces applied to the sensor array and drive the electrode matrix with electrical stimulation signals corresponding to the electrical signals received from the sensor array, thereby enabling the user to experience force and/or temperature sensations experienced by the body part through the electrode matrix.

Abstract: A smart light-emitting-diode (LED) bulb includes apparatus enabling the bulb to be turned ON, OFF, or dimmed without the use of a wall switch. Such apparatus may include circuitry responsive to rotating the LED portion of the bulb, circuitry responsive to touching or tapping on the bulb, or a Bluetooth or WiFi interconnection enabling the bulb to be controlled using a smartphone or other device executing a bulb-control application. Other apparatus may include a microphone enabling the bulb to be controlled with a voice, sound or music. In other embodiments, apparatus enabling the bulb to be turned ON, OFF, or dimmed may include a power line communication (PLC) interface enabling the bulb or bulbs to be controlled via the Internet. A camera or image sensor may be provided enabling the bulb to be gesture-controlled. A system may include a plurality of smart LED light bulbs.

Abstract: Improved circuits minimize, or eliminate, energy losses in the supply of energy to control LEDs. Diodes and a capacitor reduce or eliminate LED blinking, and create smooth and continuous, infinitely variable dimming. The components are added to supply power to each LED during the half of the AC cycle where it would normally be turned off. A first added diode allows an added capacitor to charge during the half cycle that the original diode is turned on, but does not allow the other half cycle to discharge the added capacitor. When the added capacitor is charged enough to turn on the original diode, it stays on throughout the AC cycle. The same relationship exists between the second added diode, the added capacitor and the second original diode. Zener diodes protect the LEDs from voltage surges/spikes by shunting current around LEDs when the voltage exceeds the Zener diode's breakdown voltage.

Abstract: A smart light-emitting-diode (LED) bulb includes apparatus enabling the bulb to be turned ON, OFF, or dimmed without the use of a wall switch. Such apparatus may include circuitry responsive to rotating the LED portion of the bulb, circuitry responsive to touching or tapping on the bulb, or a Bluetooth or WiFi interconnection enabling the bulb to be controlled using a smartphone or other device executing a bulb-control application. Other apparatus may include a microphone enabling the bulb to be controlled with a voice, sound or music. In other embodiments, apparatus enabling the bulb to be turned ON, OFF, or dimmed may include a power line communication (PLC) interface enabling the bulb or bulbs to be controlled via the Internet. A camera or image sensor may be provided enabling the bulb to be gesture-controlled. A system may include a plurality of smart LED light bulbs.

Abstract: Improved circuits minimize, or eliminate, energy losses in LED lighting. Diodes and a capacitor reduce or eliminate blinking and create smooth and continuous infinitely variable dimming. The components supply power to each LED during the half of the AC cycle where it would normally be turned off. Added diodes allow an added capacitor to charge during the half cycle that the original diode is turned on, but does not allow the other half cycle to discharge the added capacitor. When the added capacitor is charged enough to turn on the original diode, it stays on throughout the AC cycle. Zener diodes protect the LEDs from voltage surge's/spikes by shunting current around LEDs when the voltage exceeds the Zener diode's breakdown voltage. A microprocessor controller with MOSFETs provides an ultra efficient embodiment with near zero power dissipation.

Abstract: Improved electric circuits that minimize, or eliminate, energy losses in the supply of energy to and control of LEDs. Addition of diodes and a capacitor to a circuit reduces or eliminates LED blinking, creates smooth and continuous infinitely variable dimming. The components are added to supply power to each LED during the half of the AC cycle where it would normally be turned off. A first added diode allows an added capacitor to charge during the half cycle that the original diode is turned on, but does not allow the other half cycle to discharge the added capacitor. When the added capacitor is charged enough to turn on the original diode, it stays on throughout the AC cycle. The same relationship exists between the second added diode, the added capacitor and the second original diode. Zener diodes protect the LEDs from voltage surge's/spikes by shunting current around LEDs when the voltage exceeds the Zener diode's breakdown voltage.

Abstract: A platform weight scale comprising a capacitative load cell sensing means configured to be insensitive to off center loading of the horizontal platform regardless of load amount or location on the platform. The platform is supported by a plurality of springs selected for equal spring rates. The load cell is electrically connected into a FET (Field Effect Transistor), CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) or Bi-Polar semiconductor multivibrator circuit selected and designed to sense electric currents on the order of 10.sup.-13 amperes. In one preferred embodiment the load cell comprises a grounded hemispherical surface opposing a flat charged plate. In alternate embodiments the load cell comprises a differential capacitor or a parallel plate capacitor suspended in a manner that is insensitive to off center loading. An additional embodiment for the load cell comprises a spherically concave surface opposing the above grounded hemisperical surface.

Abstract: A platform weight scale comprising a capacitative load cell sensing means configured to be insensitive to off center loading of the horizontal platform regardless of load amount or location on the platform. The platform is supported by a plurality of springs selected for equal spring rates. The load cell is electrically connected into a FET (Field Effect Transistor), CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) or Bi-Polar semiconductor multivibrator circuit selected and designed to sense electric currents on the order of 10.sup.-13 amperes. In one preferred embodiment the load cell comprises a grounded hemispherical surface opposing a flat charged plate. In alternate embodiments the load cell comprises a differential capacitor or a parallel plate capacitor suspended in a manner that is insensitive to off center loading. An additional embodiment for the load cell comprises a spherically concave surface opposing the above grounded hemispherical surface.

Abstract: A platform weight scale comprising a capacitative load cell sensing means configured to be insensitive to off center loading of the horizontal platform regardless of load amount or location on the platform. The platform is supported by a plurality of springs selected for equal spring rates. The load cell is electrically connected into a FET (Field Effect Transistor), CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) or Bi-Polar semiconductor multivibrator circuit selected and designed to sense electric currents on the order of 10.sup.-13 amperes. In one preferred embodiment the load cell comprises a grounded hemispherical surface opposing a flat charged plate. In alternate embodiments the load cell comprises a differential capacitor or a parallel plate capacitor suspended in a manner that is insensitive to off center loading. The differential capacitor load cell embodiment utilizes an alternating switch circuit as a part of the multivibrator circuit.