Abstract: Systems and methods for providing passive haptic feedback are described. Embodiments of the present invention comprise an actuator for bringing a manipulandum and braking surface into contact and thereby providing a resistance. The manipulandum includes scroll wheels, scroll drums, linear sliders and similar user input devices. The actuator may be, for example, electromagnetic or piezo-electric. An embodiment of the present invention may include a processor in communication with the actuator for providing the haptic effects.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a haptic manipulandum are described. In one described system, a lever arm is pivotably coupled to a housing, and configured to apply a processor-controlled force to a substantially-spherical manipulandum to provide a haptic effect. The described system may include a processor in communication with an actuator for providing the haptic effect.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a haptic manipulandum are described. In one described system, a lever arm is pivotably coupled to a housing, and configured to apply a processor-controlled force to a substantially-spherical manipulandum to provide a haptic effect. The described system may include a processor in communication with an actuator for providing the haptic effect.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing passive haptic feedback are described. Embodiments of the present invention comprise an actuator for bringing a manipulandum and braking surface into contact and thereby providing a resistance. The manipulandum includes scroll wheels, scroll drums, linear sliders and similar user input devices. The actuator may be, for example, electromagnetic or piezo-electric. An embodiment of the present invention may include a processor in communication with the actuator for providing the haptic effects.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a continuous suture passer device may include a first jaw, a second jaw, a tissue penetrator which may penetrate through tissue positioned between the first and second jaws, and a suture shuttle which may be releasably secured to the tissue penetrator and adapted to carry a suture. Further, the device may include an actuator which may manipulate at least one of the first or second jaws and the tissue penetrator, and the second jaw may have a suture shuttle retainer seat on which the suture shuttle may be releasably secured. The tissue penetrator may be movable towards the second jaw such that the suture shuttle carried by the tissue penetrator may be transferred to the shuttle retainer seat on the second jaw. Additionally, the first and second jaws may be substantially parallel to one another at any position to which the at least one jaw is manipulated.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a haptic manipulandum are described. In one described system, a lever arm is pivotably coupled to a housing, and configured to apply a processor-controlled force to a substantially-spherical manipulandum to provide a haptic effect. The described system may include a processor in communication with an actuator for providing the haptic effect.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a haptic manipulandum are described. In one described system, a lever arm is pivotably coupled to a housing, and configured to apply a processor-controlled force to a substantially-spherical manipulandum to provide a haptic effect. The described system may include a processor in communication with an actuator for providing the haptic effect.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a haptic manipulandum are described. In one described system, a lever arm is pivotably coupled to a housing, and configured to apply a processor-controlled force to a substantially-spherical manipulandum to provide a haptic effect. The described system may include a processor in communication with an actuator for providing the haptic effect.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing passive haptic feedback are described. Embodiments of the present invention comprise an actuator for bringing a manipulandum and braking surface into contact and thereby providing a resistance. The manipulandum includes scroll wheels, scroll drums, linear sliders and similar user input devices. The actuator may be, for example, electromagnetic or piezo-electric. An embodiment of the present invention may include a processor in communication with the actuator for providing the haptic effects.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing passive haptic feedback are described. Embodiments of the present invention comprise an actuator for bringing a manipulandum and braking surface into contact and thereby providing a resistance. The manipulandum includes scroll wheels, scroll drums, linear sliders and similar user input devices. The actuator may be, for example, electromagnetic or piezo-electric. An embodiment of the present invention may include a processor in communication with the actuator for providing the haptic effects.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing passive haptic feedback are described. Embodiments of the present invention comprise an actuator for bringing a manipulandum and braking surface into contact and thereby providing a resistance. The manipulandum includes scroll wheels, scroll drums, linear sliders and similar user input devices. The actuator may be, for example, electromagnetic or piezo-electric. An embodiment of the present invention may include a processor in communication with the actuator for providing the haptic effects.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing passive haptic feedback are described. Embodiments of the present invention comprise an actuator for bringing a manipulandum and braking surface into contact and thereby providing a resistance. The manipulandum includes scroll wheels, scroll drums, linear sliders and similar user input devices. The actuator may be, for example, electromagnetic or piezo-electric. An embodiment of the present invention may include a processor in communication with the actuator for providing the haptic effects.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing resistive and vibrotactile feedback from a single actuator are described. One described system comprises a manipulandum, and a resistive haptic actuator configured to generate a resistive haptic force in order to generate a vibrotactile haptic effect.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating haptic effects for a touch panel or other interface device employs a touch-sensitive panel, a display and an actuator. The actuator includes a first structural element and a second structural element, a biasing element and two magnetic devices. The first magnetic device is configured to be carried by the first structural element and the second magnetic device is configured to be carried by the second structural element. The first structural element is coupled to a touch-sensitive panel and the second structural element may be coupled to the display or to a relatively fixed item. The biasing element couples the first and second structural elements together and deforms to facilitate a movement between the first and second structural elements. The actuator provides haptic effects by facilitating relative movement between the first and second structural elements.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing resistive and vibrotactile feedback from a single actuator are described. One described system comprises a manipulandum, and a resistive haptic actuator configured to generate a resistive haptic force in order to generate a vibrotactile haptic effect.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing haptic feedback are described. One described apparatus comprises a braking surface, an electromagnet core disposed in the braking surface, a disk operable to contact the braking surface such that a gap is defined between the disk and the braking surface, and a damping material disposed within the gap.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing controlled friction in a haptic feedback device are described. One described device comprises a magnetic target, a magnetic core configured to be in communication with the magnetic target to provide a haptic effect, and a partition. The partition may be configured to maintain a magnetic circuit air gap between the magnetic target and the magnetic core, and to provide friction between the magnetic target and the magnetic core. Such a device may include a processor in communication with the magnetic core for providing a haptic effect.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a characterization module configured to receive data associated with operational characteristics of a mechanical device, the operational characteristics being associated with a perceptual experience of the mechanical device. A conversion module is coupled to the characterization module. The conversion module is configured to automatically produce, substantially without user intervention, a parametric data set associated with the mechanical device based on the data. In another embodiment, a method includes receiving data associated with operational characteristics of a mechanical device. The operational characteristics are associated with a perceptual experience of the mechanical device. A parametric data set associated with the mechanical device is produced automatically, without user intervention. The parametric data set is associated with the mechanical device based on the data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a haptic manipulandum are described. In one described system, a lever arm is pivotably coupled to a housing, and configured to apply a processor-controlled force to a substantially-spherical manipulandum to provide a haptic effect. The described system may include a processor in communication with an actuator for providing the haptic effect.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing passive haptic feedback are described. Embodiments of the present invention comprise an actuator for bringing a manipulandum and braking surface into contact and thereby providing a resistance. The manipulandum includes scroll wheels, scroll drums, linear sliders and similar user input devices. The actuator may be, for example, electromagnetic or piezo-electric. An embodiment of the present invention may include a processor in communication with the actuator for providing the haptic effects.