Haptic technology

About: Haptic technology is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 18818 publications have been published within this topic receiving 306713 citations. The topic is also known as: haptics & haptic media.

Augmented reality and haptic interfaces for robot-assisted surgery

Abstract: Background Current teleoperated robot-assisted minimally invasive surgical systems do not take full advantage of the potential performance enhancements offered by various forms of haptic feedback to the surgeon. Direct and graphical haptic feedback systems can be integrated with vision and robot control systems in order to provide haptic feedback to improve safety and tissue mechanical property identification. Methods An interoperable interface for teleoperated robot-assisted minimally invasive surgery was developed to provide haptic feedback and augmented visual feedback using three-dimensional (3D) graphical overlays. The software framework consists of control and command software, robot plug-ins, image processing plug-ins and 3D surface reconstructions. Results The feasibility of the interface was demonstrated in two tasks performed with artificial tissue: palpation to detect hard lumps and surface tracing, using vision-based forbidden-region virtual fixtures to prevent the patient-side manipulator from entering unwanted regions of the workspace. Conclusions The interoperable interface enables fast development and successful implementation of effective haptic feedback methods in teleoperation. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

User interface with haptic feedback

Abstract: The invention relates to a user interface (100) comprising a touchable interaction surface (S) with an array (120) of actuators for providing haptic feedback. Moreover, the user interface comprises a controller (130) for controlling actuators in a coordinated manner such that they provide a directional haptic sensation. By means of this directional haptic sensation, a user touching the interaction surface (S) can be provided with additional information, for example about a given location on the interaction surface (S), or with a haptic feedback that corresponds to the movement of an image displayed on the interaction surface (S).

Rotational Skin Stretch Feedback: A Wearable Haptic Display for Motion

Abstract: We present a wearable haptic feedback device that imparts rotational skin stretch to the hairy skin, along with the results of psychophysical tests to determine its resolution and accuracy for motion display. Tracking experiments with visual markers reveal the pattern of skin motion and strain imparted by the device, confirming subjective impressions that the design represents a trade-off between perception at low stimulus levels and comfort at maximum stimulus levels. In an isolated environment, users were able to discriminate between different rotational displacements of stretch within two to five degrees, depending on the reference stimulus. In a more realistic setting, subjects were able to use feedback from the device to control the positioning of a virtual object within six degrees or ±6.5 degrees of the total range of motion. When subjects were passive and exposed to arbitrary rotations of the device, the accuracy was poorer, although it improved with training. The results suggest that wearable skin stretch devices can be an effective means of providing feedback about a user's controlled joint or limb motions for motion training and similar applications.

On the Design of Miniature Haptic Devices for Upper Extremity Prosthetics

Abstract: We have developed three different versions of a multifunction haptic device that can display touch, pressure, vibration, shear force, and temperature to the skin of an upper extremity amputee, especially the one who has undergone targeted nerve reinnervation (TR) surgery. In TR patients, sensation from the reinnervated skin is projected to the missing hand. This paper addresses the design of the mechanical display, the portion responsible for contact, pressure, vibration, and shear force. A variety of different overall design approaches satisfying the design specifications and the performance requirements are considered. The designs of the fully prototyped haptic devices are compared through open-loop frequency response, closed-loop force response, and tapping response in constrained motion. We emphasize the tradeoffs between key design factors, including force capability, workspace, size, bandwidth, weight, and mechanism complexity.

Touch screen interface with haptic feedback device

Abstract: The invention relates to a haptic control device by which an operator is provided with visual as well as tactile feedback. In one embodiment, the operator interacts with a control system via a display panel. Based on the nature of the operator inputs, the control system can provide the operator with both a visual output via the display panel, as well as tactile feedback.