Teleoperation Haptic Menu Control Without Extra Structural Inputs
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Minimally invasive medical procedures require effective haptic feedback systems to enhance user interaction with graphical user interfaces without adding structural controls, ensuring precise control of teleoperated medical instruments while providing a sense of immersion and confirmation of commands executed.
Innovation Solution
A teleoperational control system that engages a second operational mode for controlling graphical user interfaces, applying haptic forces to control devices in different degrees of freedom to provide feedback, such as urging the control device toward a nominal position and indicating an engaged operational state, facilitating menu navigation and command execution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If graphical user interfaces are used to extend functionality without adding structural controls, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates due to lack of haptic feedback
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements haptic feedback mechanisms that provide tactile cues to the operator when interacting with graphical user interface elements. Force feedback is applied to the control device to indicate menu selections, button presses, and other interface interactions, creating a sense of physical engagement with virtual elements without adding structural controls.
Solution Approach 2:
The haptic feedback system acts as an intermediary between the operator and the graphical user interface. It translates digital interface events into physical sensations that the operator can feel, bridging the gap between virtual interaction and physical perception without requiring additional physical controls.
2Ease of operation
If haptic feedback is added to provide immersion and command confirmation, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control device serves multiple functions: it controls teleoperated instruments and simultaneously interacts with graphical user interfaces. The same control device provides both operational control and haptic feedback for menu navigation, eliminating the need for separate controls or interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of instrument control and graphical user interface interaction into a single control device. The haptic feedback mechanism is integrated with the existing control device structure, combining multiple functionalities without adding separate structural elements.
3Device complexity
If control devices are used for both instrument control and menu navigation, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to shared degrees of freedom
Solution Approach 1:
The control device's degrees of freedom are segmented into different operational modes. When in instrument control mode, certain degrees of freedom are active for precise instrument manipulation. When in interface mode, different degrees of freedom are activated for menu navigation, allowing precise control in each mode without interference from the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device dynamically switches between different operational modes with distinct degree of freedom configurations. The system adapts the active degrees of freedom based on the current task, enabling precise instrument control when needed and precise menu navigation when in interface mode, maintaining measurement precision across different functions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enhances user interaction by providing immersive haptic feedback, allowing precise control of teleoperated medical instruments and confirming command execution without additional structural appendages, thus improving the functionality of minimally invasive medical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
applying, by a teleoperational control system, a first haptic force to the control device
Data Source
AI summary
A haptic feedback method comprises providing a teleoperational control system including a first operational mode for operating a teleoperational instrument in response to movement of a control device in a first degree of freedom and a second operational mode for controlling a graphical user interface. The method also includes engaging the second operational mode of the teleoperational control system. While in the second operational mode, the method includes tracking movement of the control device of in a second degree of freedom, different from the first degree of freedom. While in the second operational mode and responsive to the movement of the control device in the second degree of freedom, the method includes applying, by a teleoperational control system, a first haptic force to the control device.