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Influence of surgical gloves on haptic perception thresholds
Author(s) -
Hatzfeld Christian,
Dorsch Sarah,
Neupert Carsten,
Kupnik Mario
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
the international journal of medical robotics and computer assisted surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.556
H-Index - 53
eISSN - 1478-596X
pISSN - 1478-5951
DOI - 10.1002/rcs.1852
Subject(s) - haptic technology , absolute threshold , audiology , perception , just noticeable difference , factorial experiment , haptic perception , simulation , medicine , physical medicine and rehabilitation , surgery , computer science , psychology , mathematics , statistics , artificial intelligence , cognitive psychology , neuroscience
Abstract Background Impairment of haptic perception by surgical gloves could reduce requirements on haptic systems for surgery. While grip forces and manipulation capabilities were not impaired in previous studies, no data is available for perception thresholds. Methods Absolute and differential thresholds (20 dB above threshold) of 24 subjects were measured for frequencies of 25 and 250 Hz with a Ψ‐method. Effects of wearing a surgical glove, moisture on the contact surface and subject's experience with gloves were incorporated in a full‐factorial experimental design. Results Absolute thresholds of 12.8 dB and −29.6 dB (means for 25 and 250 Hz, respectively) and differential thresholds of −12.6 dB and −9.5 dB agree with previous studies. A relevant effect of the frequency on absolute thresholds was found. Comparisons of glove‐ and no‐glove‐conditions did not reveal a significant mean difference. Conclusions Wearing a single surgical glove does not affect absolute and differential haptic perception thresholds.