Immersion Medical, Inc.

Powergrid Fitness, Inc.

Ialabs-Ca, LLC

Philip G Feldman

Richard L Cunningham

Gregory L Merril

Greg Merril

Robert F Cohen

Peter Tsai

Jason Grimm

Jeff Schott

Russell H Dumas

Joseph L Tasto

Ben Feldman

J Michael Brown

Thomas Bruni

A method for interfacing a user with a computer running an application program, the computer generating a graphical environment comprising a graphical object and a graphical representation of at least a portion of a living body, comprises providing an object in communication with the computer, controlling the graphical object 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 graphical object interacts with a region within the graphical representation to provide the user with haptic feedback related to a simulated palpation of the region.

Haptic interface for palpation simulation

Apparatus for controlling force applied to and for manipulation of a surgical instrument. Movement and/or forces applied to the surgical instrument are preferably sensed within the apparatus. An actuator is preferably used to apply force to the surgical instrument for control and manipulation of the instrument. The apparatus applies variable force feedback to apply force to the surgical instrument in one or more degrees of freedom to provide an enhanced haptic experience to the user.

System and method for controlling force applied to and manipulation of medical instruments

A safe, physically demanding interface device for children or other users to play video games according to the present invention includes a base and a joystick or control rod. The base supports a significant portion or the entirety of the child weight (e.g., supports a child in a seated or standing position), while the joystick is manipulable by the child to play the games. The device is configured to force the child to utilize many of the large muscle groups to interact with the game. Since the child weight is supported by the base, the interface device is stable (e.g., unlikely to tip or move) and, therefore, provides for safe, compelling video game play for users either alone or with other users.

Method and apparatus for operatively controlling a virtual reality scenario with a physically demanding interface

An isometric exercise system according to the present invention facilitates user interaction with a host computer system and includes at least one effector, at least one sensor coupled to the effector, a platform to accommodate the user and control circuitry including a processor. The platform accommodates a user and includes the effector attached thereto. The sensor measures at least one force applied by a user to the effector, where the applied force effects a strain on or deflects the effector. The processor receives and processes data corresponding to applied force information measured by the sensor for transference to the host computer system in a compatible format and facilitates user interaction with the host computer system via effector manipulation by the user. The host computer system processes the information to update or respond to events within an executing software application (e.g., a game).

Isometric exercise system and method of facilitating user exercise during video game play

A motion platform system includes a support and a motion platform supported by the support and rotatable about a plurality of bearing axes The motion platform is further rotatable with respect to the support about at least one axis that is offset from the plurality of bearing axes. The motion platform may include an intermediate frame supported by the support, where the intermediate frame is rotatable about a first bearing axis with respect to the support. The motion platform may further include an inner frame supported by the intermediate frame, where the inner frame is rotatable about a second bearing axis with respect to the intermediate frame. Rotations of the inner and intermediate frames about the first and second bearing axes facilitate rotation of the inner frame with respect to the support about at least one axis offset from the bearing axes.

Motion platform system and method of rotating a motion platform about plural axes

A force measurement system includes an effector device with a hollow interior, an inner support secured within the hollow interior of the effector device, and at least one sensor secured at a selected location to the inner support and configured to measure a force applied to the inner support. At least one outer surface portion of the inner support is coupled with at least one interior surface portion of the effector device such that forces applied to the effector device are at least partially transferred to the inner support for measurement by the sensor.

Force measurement system for an isometric exercise device

An interface device and method for interfacing instruments to a vascular access simulation system serve to interface peripherals in the form of mock or actual medical instruments to the simulation system to enable simulation of medical procedures. The interface device includes a catheter unit assembly for receiving a catheter needle assembly, and a skin traction mechanism to simulate placing skin in traction or manipulating other anatomical sites for performing a medical procedure. The catheter needle assembly and skin traction mechanism are manipulated by a user during a medical procedure. The catheter unit assembly includes a base, a housing, a bearing assembly and a shaft that receives the catheter needle assembly. The bearing assembly enables translation of the catheter needle assembly, and includes bearings that enable the shaft to translate in accordance with manipulation of the catheter needle assembly. The shaft typically includes an encoder to measure translational motion of a needle of the catheter needle assembly, while the interface device further includes encoders to measure manipulation of the catheter needle assembly in various degrees of freedom (e.g., translation, pitch and yaw) and the skin traction mechanism. Alternatively, the shaft may include an additional encoder to measure translational motion of an instrument inserted through the catheter needle assembly. The simulation system receives measurements from the interface device encoders and updates the simulation and display, while providing control signals to the force feedback device to enable application of force feedback to the catheter needle assembly.

Interface device and method for interfacing instruments to vascular access simulation systems

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.

A computer interactive isometric exercise system includes an effector, a sensor coupled at a selected location on the effector to measure a force applied by a user to the effector, where the applied force effects a strain on the effector, and control circuitry. The control circuitry includes a processor that receives and processes data corresponding to applied force information measured by the sensor for transference to a host computer. The processed data is transferred in a format compatible with the host computer and facilitates user interaction with the host computer in response to effector manipulation by the user. A plurality of effectors may further be combined together to form a system frame that provides a variety of isometric exercises for the user in combination with user interaction with the host computer.

Computer interactive isometric exercise system and method for operatively interconnecting the exercise system to a computer system for use as a peripheral

A motion platform system includes a support and a motion platform supported by the support and rotatable about a plurality of bearing axes. The motion platform is further rotatable with respect to the support about at least one axis that is offset from the plurality of bearing axes. The motion platform may include an intermediate frame supported by the support, where the intermediate frame is rotatable about a first bearing axis with respect to the support. The motion platform may further include an inner frame supported by the intermediate frame, where the inner frame is rotatable about a second bearing axis with respect to the intermediate frame. Rotations of the inner and intermediate frames about the first and second bearing axes facilitate rotation of the inner frame with respect to the support about at least one axis offset from the bearing axes.

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Catonsville, MD, United States of America

Philip G Feldman