Surgical-Training Device for Providing Three-dimensional-Tactile Feedback, and Method of Operation Thereof

A method providing actual-physical feedback to a user performing a basic surgical technique on a platform of a surgical-training device, the method comprising:

• initially positioning a pivot point of the platform at a start position, wherein the platform has a longitudinal axis and a horizontal axis, which converge at the pivot point, wherein initially positioning the pivot point of the platform at the start position includes:
• (i) imparting a minimal-preset force to the platform with equal X, Y, and Z forces such that platform remains stationary, and the pivot point remains stationary and centered at the start position;
• and
• (ii) 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 the minimal-preset force;
• 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 is applied to the platform and is of a magnitude more than the minimal-preset force;
• automatically moving the pivot point of the platform toward the start position in inverse relation to a reduction of the second force;
• automatically returning the pivot point of the platform to the start position when the second force applied to the platform is removed;
• activating a first mode of operation when the pivot point moves a distance more than a preset-threshold distance in any X, Y, or Z plane direction, or any combination thereof, if the second force applied to the platform is of a magnitude more than the minimal-preset force and meets or exceeds a preset-threshold force;
• and
• activating a second mode of operation in lieu of the first of the mode of when the pivot point moves a distance less than a preset-threshold distance in any X, Y, or Z plane direction, or any combination thereof, when a third force is applied to the platform, which is of a magnitude more than the minimal-preset force and less than a preset-threshold force.

A method providing actual-physical feedback to a user performing a basic surgical technique on a platform of a surgical-training device, the method comprising:

• permitting three-dimensional movement of the platform from a start position to a displaced position when a force is applied to the platform by the user who is performing a simulated-surgical procedure on the platform;
• automatically returning the platform to the start position from a displaced position when the force applied to the platform by the user who is performing the simulated procedure is released by the user;
• permitting three-dimensional movement of the platform within a predetermined range less than the maximum preset threshold distance;
• permitting three-dimensional movement of the platform beyond a predetermined range more than the maximum preset threshold distance;
• activating a first mode of operation when the three-dimensional movement of the platform is within a predetermined range less than the maximum preset threshold distance;
• and
• activating a second mode of operation in lieu of the first mode of operation when three-dimensional movement of the platform is beyond a predetermined range more than the maximum preset-threshold distance.

A portable surgical-training device for measuring roughness of a simulated-surgical technique, comprising:

• a housing having a size and shape suitable for grasping and portability by a single human hand;
• a mechanical assembly fixedly coupled to the housing, the mechanical assembly including at least one spring, the at least one spring having a first end fixedly attached to the mechanical assembly;
• a platform connected to an interface shaft, the platform having a pivot point;
• a second end of the at least one spring of the mechanical assembly coupled to the interface shaft, such that the pivot point of the platform is configured for three-dimensional motion relative to the housing, wherein the three-dimensional motion includes motion in an X, Y, or Z plane, or any combination thereof, wherein the pivot point of the platform is further configured to move from a start position to a displaced position when a force is applied to the platform, and to automatically return to the start position from the displaced position when the force applied to the platform is released, wherein a portion of the platform on which a simulated-surgical technique is performed, is positioned external to the housing;
• and
• a sensor module, coupled to the mechanical assembly, configured to determine when the pivot point of the platform moves a distance—from the start position to the displaced position—that exceeds a preset-threshold distance, wherein the preset-threshold distance is a predetermined distance for movement of the pivot point of the platform, that corresponds to a preset-threshold force
• wherein the pivot point of the platform is also configured to move from the start position to a distance less than the displaced-threshold distance when a force applied to the platform is of a magnitude less than the preset-threshold force, but more than a minimal-preset force.