1342 results about "Radiant energy" patented technology

A mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror element having at least one substrate that has a forward surface and a rearward surface. The mirror element comprises at least one substantially reflective metallic layer sandwiched between a respective pair of substantially transparent non-metallic layers. Each of the substantially transparent non-metallic layers and the substantially reflective metallic layer have a selected refractive index and a selected physical thickness such that the reflective element is selectively spectrally tuned to substantially transmit at least one preselected spectral band of radiant energy therethrough while substantially reflecting other radiant energy. A radiant energy emitting element is disposed at or near the rearward surface of the at least one substrate. The radiant energy emitting element is configured to emit radiant energy with a peak intensity within the at least one preselected spectral band.

A semiconductor processing chamber having a plurality of ribs on an exterior surface of the chamber is provided. The ribs are positioned relative to the chamber such that shadows cast into the chamber by the ribs are offset from one another, thus more uniformly distributing radiant energy entering the chamber. In one embodiment, the ribs are positioned on the exterior surface of the chamber so that they have dissimilar radial distances from a center of the chamber. When a substrate rotates within the chamber, shadows produced by the ribs on a first side of the chamber fall substantially between secondary shadows produced by the ribs on a second side of the chamber. Likewise, shadows produced by the ribs on the second side of the chamber fall substantially between the secondary shadows produced by the ribs on the first side of the chamber.

A position tracking device is disclosed combining one or more optical sensors in a housing with a medical device. The medical device may be an insertion device or one that produces radiant energy. The device may utilize an on-board processor or an external processor to track position data generated by the optical sensors and correlate the treatment regime of the medical device. Alternative embodiments and methods of use are also described.

A passive collimating tubular skylight consisting of a radiant energy-collecting aperture, a radiant energy-delivering aperture, and a radiant energy passageway between these two apertures, the passageway having a specularly reflective interior surface and a configuration to improve the collimation of the radiant energy passing therethrough. The skylight can be configured with the radiant energy-collecting aperture located above the roof of a building, oriented to collect sunlight; and equipped with a sealed weatherproof glazing, with the radiant energy-delivering aperture, or luminaire, located at ceiling level within the building, and equipped with a diffusing glazing; and with the reflective tubular light passageway constructed with a larger cross sectional area near the radiant energy-delivering aperture than near the radiant energy-collecting aperture. In complete accord with the second law of thermodynamics, and as proven by experimental results, the new passive collimating tubular skylight provides significant advantages over the prior art, including better solar energy collection, higher throughput optical efficiency, improved radiant energy collimation, enhanced interior illumination levels, and more precise positional control of the interior illumination.

Ablation methods and instruments are disclosed for creating lesions in tissue, especially cardiac tissue for treatment of arrhythmias and the like. Percutaneous ablation instruments in the form of coaxial catheter bodies are disclosed having at least one central lumen therein and having one or more balloon structures at the distal end region of the instrument. The instruments include an energy emitting element which is independently positionable within the lumen of the instrument and adapted to project radiant energy through a transmissive region of a projection balloon to a target tissue site. The instrument can optionally include at least one expandable anchor balloon disposed about, or incorporated into an inner catheter body designed to be slid over a guidewire. This anchor balloon can serve to position the device within a lumen, such as a pulmonary vein. A projection balloon structure is also disclosed that can be slid over the first (anchor balloon) catheter body and inflated within the heart, to define a staging from which to project radiant energy. An ablative fluid can also be employed outside of the instrument (e.g., between the balloon and the target region) to ensure efficient transmission of the radiant energy when the instrument is deployed. In another aspect of the invention, generally applicable to a wide range of cardiac ablation instruments, mechanisms are disclosed for determining whether the instrument has been properly seated within the heart, e.g., whether the device is in contact with a pulmonary vein and / or the atrial surface, in order to form a lesion by heating, cooling or projecting energy. This contact-sensing feature can be implemented by an illumination source situated within the instrument and an optical detector that monitors the level of reflected light. Measurements of the reflected light (or wavelengths of the reflected light) can thus be used to determine whether contact has been achieved and whether such contact is continuous over a desired ablation path.

An illuminated sighting device includes a capsule with an integrally formed lens that is adapted to face rearwardly for viewing by a user. An elongate light collector is positioned within the hollow interior of the capsule and is formed such that light can be gathered along its length and transmitted to its ends. One of the light collector ends is located adjacent to the first lens and defines a sight point or dot. An artificial light source is located within the capsule hollow interior and is oriented for projecting radiant energy into the second light collector end so that the sight point is viewable during dark or low light conditions.