System and method for virtual feedback with haptic devices

1. A control unit for a computer-assisted medical device comprising:

one or more processors; and

an interface coupling the control unit to a first input device;

wherein the control unit is configured to:

determine a reference point for the first input device;

select a first virtual feedback model (VFM) for the first input device from among a plurality of VFMs for the first input device;

configure one or more parameters of the first VFM;

select a second VFM for the first input device from among the plurality of VFMs for the first input device;

configure one or more parameters of the second VFM;

determine a first position of the first input device based on information from one or more first sensors associated with the first input device;

determine, based on the reference point, the first position, and the first VFM, a first feedback level for the first input device;

determine, based on the reference point, the first position, and the second VFM, a second feedback level for the first input device;

determine a third feedback level based on superposition of the first feedback level and the second feedback level; and

send one or more first feedback commands, based on the third feedback level, to one or more first actuators associated with the first input device.

2. The control unit of claim 1 , wherein the reference point is determined based on an initial position of the first input device.

3. The control unit of claim 1 , wherein the reference point is determined based on a second position of the first input device when a command is received from an operator.

4. The control unit of claim 1 , wherein the reference point is determined based on a physical geometry of the first input device.

5. The control unit of claim 1 , wherein the first VFM includes a transfer function that has one or more characteristics selected from a group consisting of unidirectional, bidirectional, linear, non-linear, asymmetric, symmetric, isotropic, non-isotropic, and hysteresis.

6. The control unit of claim 1 , wherein the first VFM includes a transfer function that includes a region of zero feedback around the reference point.

7. The control unit of claim 1 , wherein the first VFM includes a transfer function that includes a saturation region.

8. The control unit of claim 1 , wherein the first VFM emulates one or more feedback devices selected from a group consisting of a mechanical spring, a damper, a dashpot, a shock absorber, a torsion spring, and a gas spring.

9. The control unit of claim 1 , wherein the first position is a linear or an angular displacement from the reference point.

10. The control unit of claim 9 , wherein the first feedback level is based on the displacement.

11. The control unit of claim 1 , wherein the first input device is a haptic device.

12. The control unit of claim 1 , wherein the first input device is an operator control.

13. The control unit of claim 1 , wherein the first input device is an end effector of an articulated device.

14. The control unit of claim 1 , wherein the one or more first feedback commands direct the first input device toward the reference point.

15. The control unit of claim 1 , wherein in an absence of external force being applied to the first input device, the one or more first feedback commands implement a dead-man's switch using the first input device.

16. The control unit of claim 1 , wherein the control unit is further configured to change one or more of the one or more parameters of the first VFM.

17. The control unit of claim 16 , wherein the one or more parameters correspond to one or more slopes, break points, start-up thresholds, or saturation values of a transfer function associated with the first VFM.

18. The control unit of claim 1 , wherein the control unit is further configured to replace the first VFM with a third VFM different from the first VFM, the third VFM being selected from among the plurality of VFMs for the first input device.

19. The control unit of claim 1 , wherein the control unit is further configured to change the reference point.

20. The control unit of claim 1 , wherein the first position is determined based on detected motion of the first input device.

21. The control unit of claim 1 , wherein the control unit is further configured to:

select a third VFM for the first input device from among the plurality of VFMs for the first input device;

configure the third VFM; and

determine the first feedback level further based on the third VFM.

22. The control unit of claim 21 , wherein the first VFM and the third VFM are different.

23. The control unit of claim 1 , wherein:

the interface further couples the control unit to a second input device; and

the control unit is further configured to:

determine a second position of the second input device using one or more second sensors associated with the second input device;

determine the first feedback level further based on the second position; and

send one or more second feedback commands to one or more second actuators associated with the second input device.

24. The control unit of claim 23 , wherein the one or more first feedback commands and the one or more second feedback commands induce compliant motion between the first input device and the second input device.

25. The control unit of claim 23 , wherein the control unit is further configured to:

determine a displacement between the first position and the second position; and

determine the first feedback level further based on the displacement.

26. The control unit of claim 1 , wherein the control unit is further configured to:

determine, based on the reference point, a reference location for an end effector being controlled by the first input device;

determine a second position of the end effector; and

determine, further based on the reference location and the second position, the first feedback level for the first input device.