Haptic Interface for Virtual Reality Simulation and Training. Phase 1.
Abstract
Advances in graphic display technologies have made virtual reality (VR) and scientific visualization applications accessible to a wide user population. Unfortunately, few human interface tools exist to allow users to interact naturally with these powerful graphical environments. To address this need, Immersion Corporation has developed a user interface mechanism to allow natural manual interaction with 3-D environments which provides realistic force feedback to the user. This haphic display methodology combines high fidelity, low cost, and inherent safety to allow force reflection technology to become commercially feasible. The long term objective is to produce a 3-D haptic interface for virtual environments. Phase 1 focused on producing one-dimensional haptic interface hardware and incorporating this technology into a real world VR application. Immersion and the Ohio Supercomputer Center have worked together to produce a virtual simulation of epidural analgesia, a medical procedure that requires delicate needle insertions into the spinal column. The resulting VR simulation is so realistic in look and feel, it can actually be used as a training environment to teach doctors to perform the dexterous manual procedure, allowing them to learn manual technique and explore the associated physical sensations without the risks or costs associated with using real biological specimens. (AN)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 30, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADA297231
Entities
People
- D. Stredney
- Louis B. Rosenberg
- T. A. Lacey