MEMS-Based Microheater With Virtual Reality for Enhanced Thermal Feedback in Medical Applications

This work demonstrates the development and effectiveness of a novel diagnostic device that uses virtual reality (VR) and micro-heating touch feedback to measure the size and temperature of lung tumors. This cutting-edge technology helps with the accurate diagnosis and localization of tumors by providing users with a warm sensation when they touch a 3D rendering of a tumor inside a VR environment. By integrating thermal feedback with immersive VR, we enhance the accuracy and intuitiveness of tumor detection, potentially contributing to better diagnostic results and enabling more efficient treatment planning. The integration of thermal feedback not only enhances the realism of the virtual interaction but also makes it easier for the user to locate tumors precisely based on temperature changes. This new method offers a more thorough and interactive way to assess the identification and localization of lung cancers, which is a significant improvement in medical diagnostics. Rapid identification and detection are crucial as they can significantly enhance survival probabilities, especially since early detection is often challenging. This paper presents the development of a novel device for lung tumor analysis, employing VR and thermal technologies to provide thermal touch feedback. At the core of this device is the innovative use of microheater-based technology, integrating new techniques for thermal sensation. Through the use of a VR interface, our microheater device was examined. Users were able to interact with 3D-rendered lung tumors and experience a heat sensation that was different from the surrounding lung tissue. The MEMS microheater demonstrated a response time of approximately 16 seconds, significantly faster than the 200 seconds required by traditional Peltier devices. The preliminary results show that our microheater device offers optimal performances in terms of response time and allows low energy consumption (range of milliwatts), compared to the Peltier actuator. The results further demonstrate that our microheater’s optimized thermal touch feedback produces precise and safe temperatures for tumor detection.