HaptX for virtual reality surgical training solution

March 21, 2019

The UK start-up FundamentalVR, which is developing a virtual reality surgical training tool, announced on March 13, 2019, the integration of HaptX smart health technology into its Fundamental Surgery software. HaptX is an American start-up with haptic feedback gloves that allow a user to feel virtual objects. His gloves, each equipped with 130 microfluidic actuators and a resistance to effort of 1.8 kg per finger, are the most advanced on the market today.

Almost a year ago, the VR gloves developed by HaptX had been introduced in their beta version. At the latest New York City Future of Storytelling Summit, the US firm unveiled the HaptX Gloves Development Kit. This prototype haptic return gloves is aimed primarily at companies wishing to develop VR.

THE HAPTIC RETURN FOR MORE REALISTIC SENSATIONS

This choice is not surprising for FundamentalVR, one of the selling points is precisely the attention it gives to the sense of touch in its simulations. She used to use articulated arms, but will now combine them with HaptX gloves to push realism even further.

It’s kind of the best of both worlds, because the arms provide resistance to the movements that the gloves do not have and vice versa. The start-up nevertheless underlines that it intends to remain “agnostic” from the material point of view (computers, VR headsets, haptics accessories).

HaptX A DEMONSTRATION AT THE CONGRESS OF AMERICAN ORTHOPEDIC SURGEONS

FundamentalVR demonstrated this integration on March 13, 2019 at the annual meeting of the American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS). The case presented simulates the placement of a total anterior hip prosthesis. The system allows the surgeon to feel the presence of bone growths around the hip and identify a key ligament by touch to move in the next steps of the procedure. A level of detail calibrated to the millimeter, according to the start-up, and reinforces the memory of the gesture.

FundamentalVR focuses on orthopedic procedures for the moment and offers, among other things, training for total hip arthroplasty (posterior or anterior), total knee arthroplasty or the installation of a vertebral pedicle screw. The start-up also collaborates with the prestigious Mayo Clinic to develop training modules on general and visceral surgery.