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Hands-Free Kinetic System for Medical Simulation (KineSys MedSim)

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Defense Health Agency
Contract: W81XWH-11-C-0050
Agency Tracking Number: O2-1237
Amount: $1,000,000.00
Phase: Phase II
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: OSD10-H06
Solicitation Number: 2010.3
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2010
Award Year: 2012
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2012-03-23
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
15400 Calhoun Drive Suite 400
Rockville, MD -
United States
DUNS: 161911532
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: Yes
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Timothy Judkins
 Senior Research Scientist
 (301) 294-4768
 tjudkins@i-a-i.com
Business Contact
 Mark James
Title: Director, Contract&Prop
Phone: (301) 294-5221
Email: mjames@i-a-i.com
Research Institution
 Stub
Abstract

In recent years, many human-computer interaction and virtual environment systems have incorporated haptic devices. However, the range of environment properties and types of interactions enabled by existing haptic interfaces are very limited. Haptic feedback is typically restricted to that provided by artificial materials (e.g., mannequins) or resolved forces (e.g., use of PHANTOM-type force feedback haptic interfaces in virtual reality simulators). The user normally grasps a stylus or places a fingertip in a thimble, which is represented as a tool in the virtual environment. There is a need for medical simulators that integrate the cutaneous sensations of direct interaction with typical kinesthetic feedback in order to provide a complete haptic experience. To address this need, Intelligent Automation, Inc. (IAI), in collaboration with Dr. Allison Okamura at Stanford University, Tangible Haptics, and Dr. Carla Pugh (Northwestern University), proposes to extend our Phase I successes developing a hands-free kinetic system for medical simulation, KineSys MedSim, that accurately simulates kinesthetic and cutaneous properties (e.g. stiffness, friction, texture, temperature, etc.) of skin, bone, muscle, and internal organs (which may have hard inclusions such as tumors). The proposed innovation in this SBIR effort will provide a solution for next-generation surgical simulators.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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