Vibrotactile feedback enhances force perception in minimally invasive surgery

Ryan E. Schoonmaker, Caroline G.L. Cao

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Distorted force feedback in minimally invasive surgery causes the procedure to become more difficult for the surgeon. A simulated tissue probing task was desgined to test the hypothesis that vibrotactile feedback can enhance one's ability to differentiate tissue softness, and control the forces being applied to tissue. The two independent factors in the study were vibration feedback, consisting of four levels (continuous, fine-step, crude-step, and no vibration), and audibility, consisting of two levels (on and off). The results demonstrated that with the aide of vibration the absolute probing depth error was reduced (5.7mm - no vibration, 3.65mm - fine step), and the average maximum force applied was reduced (1.32 N - no vibration, 1.04 N - fine step). Additionally, the normalized time to detection (0.93s/s audible, 1.10s/s non-audible) and maximum force (1.16 N - non-audible, 1.08 N - audible) was reduced in the audible condition. These results indicate that vibrotactile stimulation is a viable substitute for force feedback in simulated minimally invasive surgery.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationProceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 50th Annual Meeting, HFES 2006
PublisherHuman Factors and Ergonomics Society Inc.
Pages1029-1033
Number of pages5
ISBN (Print)9780945289296
DOIs
StatePublished - 2006
Externally publishedYes
Event50th Annual Meeting of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, HFES 2006 - San Francisco, CA, United States
Duration: Oct 16 2006Oct 20 2006

Publication series

NameProceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society
ISSN (Print)1071-1813

Other

Other50th Annual Meeting of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, HFES 2006
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Francisco, CA
Period10/16/0610/20/06

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Human Factors and Ergonomics

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