Patent ID: 8177731
Filing Date: 2012-05-15
Classification: G09B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An elastic hysteretic palpatory training apparatus comprising: a plunger; a solenoid disposed around a longitudinal axis of the plunger; and a controller for controlling electrical power supplied to the solenoid as a function of a palpatory force applied to an end of the plunger and a position of the plunger in the solenoid in response to the applied palpatory force such that the plunger emulates at least one of the following: (a) an elastic material that is responsive to (1) the applied palpatory force for displacing from a first position to a second position, and (2) the withdrawal of the applied palpatory force for returning to and remaining at a position intermediate the first and second positions, or (b) a series of elastic materials configured to be engaged one-at-a-time in response to the applied palpatory force, wherein each elastic material is responsive to (1) the applied palpatory force for displacing from a first position to a second position, and (2) the withdrawal of the palpatory force for returning to and remaining at a position intermediate the first and second positions.