Haptic interface for palpation simulation
First Claim
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1. A medical simulation apparatus comprising:
- a computer mouse adapted to be utilized by a user;
a sensor coupled to the computer mouse, wherein the sensor provides a sensory signal of the computer mouse;
a processor configured to receive the locative signal and update a graphical object associated with operation of the computer mouse, wherein the graphical object is shown on a display, the processor configured to output a first haptic feedback signal when the graphical object is positioned at a designated haptic feedback location on a virtual patient shown on the display; and
an actuator coupled to the computer mouse, the actuator configured to output a first haptic effect upon receiving the first haptic feedback signal.
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Abstract
A palpation simulator comprises an interface for interfacing a user with a computer running a palpation simulation. The computer generates a graphical environment comprising a cursor and a graphical representation of at least a portion of a living body. In one version, a method comprises providing an object in communication with the computer, controlling the cursor in relation to manipulation of at least a portion of the object by the user, and outputting a haptic sensation to the user when the cursor interacts with a region within the graphical representation to provide the user with haptic feedback related to a simulated palpation of the region.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A medical simulation apparatus comprising:
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a computer mouse adapted to be utilized by a user; a sensor coupled to the computer mouse, wherein the sensor provides a sensory signal of the computer mouse; a processor configured to receive the locative signal and update a graphical object associated with operation of the computer mouse, wherein the graphical object is shown on a display, the processor configured to output a first haptic feedback signal when the graphical object is positioned at a designated haptic feedback location on a virtual patient shown on the display; and an actuator coupled to the computer mouse, the actuator configured to output a first haptic effect upon receiving the first haptic feedback signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A computer executable processing algorithm configured to perform a method comprising:
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receiving a sensory signal associated with operation of a computer mouse; running a host program displaying a virtual patient on a display screen, wherein a graphical location on the virtual patient is designated a haptic feedback location; updating a graphical object on the display screen in response to the sensory signal, wherein the graphical object is associated with the computer mouse; and outputting a haptic feedback signal to an actuator coupled to the computer mouse to output a haptic effect when the graphical object is at the haptic feedback location. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of operating a medical simulation apparatus comprising:
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receiving a sensory signal associated with operation of a computer mouse; running a host program displaying a virtual patient on a display screen, wherein a graphical location on the virtual patient is designated a haptic feedback location; updating a graphical object on the display screen in response to the sensory signal, wherein the graphical object is associated with the computer mouse; and outputting a haptic feedback signal to an actuator coupled to the computer mouse to output a haptic effect when the graphical object is at the haptic feedback location. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification