Abstract
In this paper, tactile response characteristics in medical haptic interface are investigated to characterize the feeling of contact between the finger skin and the organic tissue when a finger is dragged over tissue. In order to represent the tactile feeling, a prototype tactile display incorporating Magneto-Rheological (MR) fluid has been developed. Tactile display devices simulate the finger's skin to feel the sensations of contact such as compliance, curvature and friction. Thus, the tactile display provides the surface information of organic tissue to the surgeon using different actuating mechanisms ranging from the conventional mechanical motor to the smart material actuators. In order to investigate the compliance feeling of human finger's touch, vertical force responses of the tactile display under the various magnetic fields have been assessed. Also, frictional resistive force responses of the tactile display are investigated to simulate the action of finger's dragging. From the results, different tactile feelings are observed as the applied magnetic field is varied and arrayed magnetic poles combinations. This research gives a smart technology of tactile displaying.
