Physically realistic computer simulation of medical procedures
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method, comprising:
- generating a graphical simulation on a computer coupled to a display;
manipulating a user controlled object coupled to an interface including a mechanism, the mechanism configured to allow movement of the user controlled object in at least three rotary degrees of freedom all intersecting at a single common pivot point, the common pivot point between a first end and a second end of the user controlled object, wherein the first end of the user controlled object is contacted by a user;
sensing movement of the user controlled object in a linear degree of freedom as the user controlled object is slidably moved through the mechanism of the interface;
transmitting position information of the sensed movement to the computer;
updating the displayed graphical simulation in response to the updated position information;
transmitting a force command from the computer to the interface based on the updated position information; and
generating a force on the user controlled object in response to the force command.
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Abstract
An apparatus for interfacing the movement of a shaft with a computer includes a support, a gimbal mechanism having two degrees of freedom, and three electromechanical transducers. When a shaft is engaged with the gimbal mechanism, it can move with three degrees of freedom in a spherical coordinate space, where each degree of freedom is sensed by one of the three transducers. A fourth transducer can be used to sense rotation of the shaft around an axis.
67 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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generating a graphical simulation on a computer coupled to a display; manipulating a user controlled object coupled to an interface including a mechanism, the mechanism configured to allow movement of the user controlled object in at least three rotary degrees of freedom all intersecting at a single common pivot point, the common pivot point between a first end and a second end of the user controlled object, wherein the first end of the user controlled object is contacted by a user; sensing movement of the user controlled object in a linear degree of freedom as the user controlled object is slidably moved through the mechanism of the interface; transmitting position information of the sensed movement to the computer; updating the displayed graphical simulation in response to the updated position information; transmitting a force command from the computer to the interface based on the updated position information; and generating a force on the user controlled object in response to the force command. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method comprising:
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generating a graphical simulation on a computer coupled to a display; sensing movement of a user controlled object coupled to an interface having a mechanism, wherein the mechanism is configured to allow movement of the user controlled object in at least three rotary degrees of freedom all intersecting at a single common pivot point, the common pivot point between a first end and a second end of the user controlled object, wherein the first end of the user controlled object is contacted by a user, wherein the sensed movement is in a rotary degree of freedom; transmitting position information of the sensed movement to the computer, wherein the sensed linear movement is of the user controlled object sliding through the mechanism of the interface; updating the displayed graphical simulation in response to the updated position information; transmitting a force command from the computer to the interface based on the updated position information; and generating a force on the user controlled object to be felt by the user in response to the force command. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An interface apparatus comprising:
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means for engaging a user controlled object having a first end and a second end, the first end in contact with and physically manipulatable by a user, wherein the means for engaging is configured to allow movement of the user controlled object in at least three rotary degrees of freedom all intersecting at a single common pivot point, the common pivot point between the first end and the second end of the user controlled object; means for sensing movement of the user controlled object in at least one degree of freedom when the user controlled object is slidably moved in a linear direction through the means for engaging; means for outputting data indicative of the linear movement to a computer running a graphical user interface program, wherein the computer is configured to update the graphical user interface program in response to receiving the data; and means for outputting a force to the user controlled object to be felt by the user in response to receiving a control signal from the computer system, wherein the force is applied in the degree of freedom. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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Specification