Patent ID: 8308486
Filing Date: 2012-11-13
Classification: G09B

Abstract:
1. A method for providing tactile feedback to a user performing a simulated-surgical technique on a surgical-training device, the surgical-training device including: (i) a housing, (ii) an assembly contained, at least partially, within the housing, (iii) a sensor coupled to the assembly and (iv) a platform coupled to the assembly by a shaft, wherein the platform is configured to move independently of the housing, and wherein the platform has a longitudinal and horizontal axes which converge at a pivot point, the method comprising: preventing the platform from moving in an X, Y, or Z plane direction, or any combination thereof, if a first force, when applied to the platform in any X, Y, or Z plane direction, or any combination thereof, is less than a minimal-preset force conveyed by the assembly; permitting the pivot point of the platform to move in any X, Y, or Z plane direction, or any combination thereof, when a second force applied to the platform, by a user, is of a magnitude more than the minimal-preset force conveyed by the assembly; detecting, via the sensor, if the pivot point moves a distance beyond a preset-threshold distance in any X, Y, or Z plane direction, or any combination thereof, representing that the second force applied to the platform by the user was excessive, and therefore, was too rough when performing the simulated-surgical technique; activating a first mode of operation, if the sensor detected that the pivot point moved a distance beyond the preset-threshold distance; and activating a second mode of operation in lieu of the first mode of operation, if the sensor did not detect that the pivot point moved beyond the preset-threshold distance, representing that the second force applied to the platform by the user was not excessive, and therefore, was delicate enough while performing the simulated-surgical technique.