Inventors:
Sergei Kurenov - West Falls FL, US
Juan C. Cendan - Gainesville FL, US
Jorg Peters - Gainesville FL, US
Thomas M. Beaver - Gainesville FL, US
William Cance - Orchard Park NY, US
Kfir Ben-David - Gainesville FL, US
Assignee:
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC. - GAINESVILLE FL
International Classification:
G09B 23/28
Abstract:
Devices and methods are provided for combining the handle of a surgical instrument with a force feedback generator, able to create resistance to motion similar to that encountered in a real operating environment. The working end of the surgical instrument is recreated in a virtual environment and manipulated by the modified handle through the force feedback generator. Actions of the instrument handle modify a model and display of the virtual environment and transmit a haptic response back to the handle. The devices and methods provide a means for repeatedly performing maneuvers that accurately simulate the actual instrument, but in the virtual environment. The virtual environment is modeled to accurately simulate the use of the instrument including manipulation of and collisions with other virtual objects, such as surgical thread or internal tissues. Training and assessment tools are also provided that coach or assess a user's proficiency with the instrument.