Tactile feel apparatus for use with robotic operations

Abstract

A system for providing for tactile feedback to a physician or other user employs a robotic control system, which robotic control system enables the user to control an operating instrument such as a scalpel or other instrument. Pressure transducers are placed upon the instrument and the outputs from the transducers are directed to a microprocessor and glove control circuit. The microprocessor receives the signals from the pressure transducer and the signals from the robotic control system to produce output signals for controlling a glove. The glove is worn by the physician during a robotic operation. The glove contains means on the inside of the glove, which means receive the signals generated by the microprocessor and glove control circuit and provides tactile feedback to the hand of the physician or Other user while wearing the glove. This tactile feedback provides indications to the user of the robotic control signal system as to the pressure or force applied by the surgical instrument during the robotic operation. There is also described a technique for training a physician to use this system. The system employs inflatable air sacks positioned on the inner surface of the glove but other tactile indications such as heat can be employed.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.