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Kim HS, Kim KB, Lee JH, Jung JJ, Kim YJ, Kim SP, Choi MH, Yi JH, Chung SC. Mid-Air Tactile Sensations Evoked by Laser-Induced Plasma: A Neurophysiological Study. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:733423. [PMID: 34658771 PMCID: PMC8517193 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.733423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
This study demonstrates the feasibility of a mid-air means of haptic stimulation at a long distance using the plasma effect induced by laser. We hypothesize that the stress wave generated by laser-induced plasma in the air can propagate through the air to reach the nearby human skin and evoke tactile sensation. To validate this hypothesis, we investigated somatosensory responses in the human brain to laser plasma stimuli by analyzing electroencephalography (EEG) in 14 participants. Three types of stimuli were provided to the index finger: a plasma stimulus induced from the laser, a mechanical stimulus transferred through Styrofoam stick, and a sham stimulus providing only the sound of the plasma and mechanical stimuli at the same time. The event-related desynchronization/synchronization (ERD/S) of sensorimotor rhythms (SMRs) in EEG was analyzed. Every participant verbally reported that they could feel a soft tap on the finger in response to the laser stimulus, but not to the sham stimulus. The spectrogram of EEG evoked by laser stimulation was similar to that evoked by mechanical stimulation; alpha ERD and beta ERS were present over the sensorimotor area in response to laser as well as mechanical stimuli. A decoding analysis revealed that classification error increased when discriminating ERD/S patterns between laser and mechanical stimuli, compared to the case of discriminating between laser and sham, or mechanical and sham stimuli. Our neurophysiological results confirm that tactile sensation can be evoked by the plasma effect induced by laser in the air, which may provide a mid-air haptic stimulation method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyung-Sik Kim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, BK21 Plus Research Institute of Biomedical Engineering, School of ICT Convergence Engineering, College of Science and Technology, Konkuk University, Chungju-si, South Korea
| | - Kyu Beom Kim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, BK21 Plus Research Institute of Biomedical Engineering, School of ICT Convergence Engineering, College of Science and Technology, Konkuk University, Chungju-si, South Korea
| | - Je-Hyeop Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, BK21 Plus Research Institute of Biomedical Engineering, School of ICT Convergence Engineering, College of Science and Technology, Konkuk University, Chungju-si, South Korea
| | - Jin-Ju Jung
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, BK21 Plus Research Institute of Biomedical Engineering, School of ICT Convergence Engineering, College of Science and Technology, Konkuk University, Chungju-si, South Korea
| | - Ye-Jin Kim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, BK21 Plus Research Institute of Biomedical Engineering, School of ICT Convergence Engineering, College of Science and Technology, Konkuk University, Chungju-si, South Korea
| | - Sung-Phil Kim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan, South Korea
| | - Mi-Hyun Choi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, BK21 Plus Research Institute of Biomedical Engineering, School of ICT Convergence Engineering, College of Science and Technology, Konkuk University, Chungju-si, South Korea
| | - Jeong-Han Yi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, BK21 Plus Research Institute of Biomedical Engineering, School of ICT Convergence Engineering, College of Science and Technology, Konkuk University, Chungju-si, South Korea
| | - Soon-Cheol Chung
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, BK21 Plus Research Institute of Biomedical Engineering, School of ICT Convergence Engineering, College of Science and Technology, Konkuk University, Chungju-si, South Korea
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Development of a Tactile Actuator with Non-Contact and Trans-Object Characteristics Using a Time-Varying Magnetic Field. ACTUATORS 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/act10060106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
A non-contact tactile stimulation system using a time-varying magnetic field was developed. The system comprises a control unit, power unit, output unit, and actuator. The control unit adjusts stimulation parameters, particularly the signal intensity and frequency. The power unit produces high voltages for generating the magnetic field, whereas the output unit transmits the energy generated according to the signal from the control unit to the actuator. A spiral coil actuator generates the magnetic field. To validate the effectiveness of the system, preliminary experiments on 10 male adults without neurological disorders (23.2 ± 3.05 years) were conducted. Magnetic field stimuli were presented to the right palm of the subjects at three different frequencies (10, 30, and 50 Hz), and corresponding electroencephalogram (EEG) signals were measured simultaneously. Event-related potential (ERP) analysis showed that N100 and P300 components were identified in somatosensory areas. Subjective evaluations revealed that feelings such as “tingling,” “trembling,” “tapping,” and “percussing” were induced. Moreover, as the stimulus frequency changes, differences may occur in induced feeling. The system uses a time-varying magnetic field, which not only induces tactile stimulation without contact but also has trans-object characteristics that can present tactile sensations, even when there is an obstacle between an actuator and skin.
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Liu Y, Li X, Lai J, Zheng Z, Zhu H, Li M. Construction of Ultrasonic Tactile Force Feedback Model in Teleoperation Robot System. SENSORS 2021; 21:s21072560. [PMID: 33917486 PMCID: PMC8038776 DOI: 10.3390/s21072560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 04/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The ultrasonic phased array as an emerging interactive tool is increasingly used for aerial tactile interaction. However, there is almost no method to achieve remote variable force feedback through the ultrasonic phased array as far as we know. This article presents a force tactile feedback method for teleoperating robot systems that tracks the five fingers and forms a focus on the fingertips. First, the perceived size of the focus depends on the input parameters. The influence of the parameters on the physical output pressure intensity was obtained through physical test experiments. Then, the absolute threshold and difference threshold of human perception were studied through psychophysical experimental methods. Finally, the input parameters were selected according to the experimental results. According to the collected data, the construction of the force regression model was completed, and different parameters were mapped to the perceived intensity. The contact force generated in the actual operation is fed back to the haptic system, and the constructed model automatically adjusts the control parameters to ensure that the user’s hand presents a sensory output corresponding to the intensity change. The entire force feedback system is evaluated, and results show that the system shows good perceptual quality.
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KANG GEONHO, KIM SEUNGEUN, PARK JONGRAK, LEE HYUNCHEOL, JUN JAEHOON. A STUDY ON COGNITIVE RESPONSE TENDENCY AND DAMAGE THRESHOLD OF ABSORBING MEDIUM BY LASER-INDUCED INDIRECT STIMULATION. J MECH MED BIOL 2019. [DOI: 10.1142/s0219519419400475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Laser-based research can be used in biology, medicine, engineering and many other industries. The use of pulsed laser can induce thermoelastic effect in a short time and give mechanical stimulation to the human body. When the elastic medium is attached to the human body and the laser is irradiated, the mechanical stimulus induced in the elastic medium can be transferred to the human body, which may cause tactile sensation. In this study, we investigated the effects of laser-induced indirect stimulation on cognitive response and damage to absorbing medium. Through the human body experiment, we studied the laser parameter condition that most subjects feel touch. In addition, thermal analysis simulations were performed to predict the condition of the laser pulse energy, the laser frequency and the temperature at the damage threshold of the absorption medium. The results of this study are expected to be useful for conducting non-contact tactile sensation using laser, and this technique can be widely used in laser biomedical stimulation, haptic technology, and other biological and medical fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- GEON-HO KANG
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Research Institute of Biomedical Engineering, College of Biomedical & Health Science, Konkuk University, Chungju, Chungbuk 380-701, Republic of Korea
| | - SEUNG-EUN KIM
- Department of Photonic Engineering, Chosun University, Gwangju 61452, Republic of Korea
| | - JONG-RAK PARK
- Department of Photonic Engineering, Chosun University, Gwangju 61452, Republic of Korea
| | - HYUN CHEOL LEE
- School of Business, Korea Aerospace University, 76 Hanggongdaehak-ro, Goyang, Republic of Korea
| | - JAE-HOON JUN
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Research Institute of Biomedical Engineering, College of Biomedical & Health Science, Konkuk University, Chungju, Chungbuk 380-701, Republic of Korea
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CHOI MIHYUN, KIM HYUNGSIK, JO JIHUN, KIM JISUN, JUN JAEHOON, PARK JONGRAK, CHUNG SOONCHEOL. INTERACTION EFFECT BETWEEN BEAM DIAMETER AND ENERGY DENSITY IN LASER-INDUCED TACTILE PERCEPTION. J MECH MED BIOL 2018. [DOI: 10.1142/s0219519418400110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
This study aims to investigate the interaction effect between the beam diameter and energy density, which are perceived as laser-induced tactile perception by humans, by diversely varying the laser parameters, beam diameter, and energy. Eight healthy male college students of 23.5[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]1.7 years participated in the study. The range of the beam diameter of the displayed laser stimulation was between 0.03[Formula: see text]mm and 8[Formula: see text]mm, and a total of 21 sizes were displayed. The laser energy was sequentially displayed from the minimum energy that can be displayed by one beam diameter to the maximum energy range that does not exceed the maximum permissible exposure (MPE) level since the energy varies according to the beam diameter. The laser energy was controlled by an optical density ([Formula: see text]) filter and was measured by an optical power meter (energy meter). Furthermore, the beam diameter was adjusted by moving the lens, which was confirmed with the beam profiler. The experimental test consists of the control phase (19[Formula: see text]s), stimulus phase (7[Formula: see text]s), and response phase (4[Formula: see text]s); the total duration of the test was 30[Formula: see text]s. The stimulus phase is the period in which stimulation was displayed on the skin through laser irradiation, and the stimulation was displayed by changing the beam diameter and the energy from the laser. The total number of beam diameter and energy pairs displayed to the subjects was 113 and 5 trials of irradiation were conducted for each pair. Stimulation perception response was recorded by pressing the response buttons during the response phase, and the responses were predefined as “no feeling,” “tactile sensation”, and “pain.” Through the extracted response data from the response phase, the beam diameter and energy density pair in which more than 50% of the subjects responded as having perceived tactile sensation were selected from the possible laser energy that could be displayed from one beam diameter. The simulation results showed that increasing the beam diameter increased the penetration depth, indicating an effective energy transfer to the skin. Therefore, increasing the beam diameter results in increased scattering, and hence increased penetration depth, and ultimately a more effective energy transfer. Therefore, increased beam diameter results in higher energy transfer efficiency, indicating that the required energy density by more than 50% of the subjects to perceive tactile sensation decreased.
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Affiliation(s)
- MI-HYUN CHOI
- Biomedical Engineering, BK21+ Research Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Research Institute of Biomedical Engineering, School of ICT Convergence Engineering, College of Science & Technology, Konkuk University, Chungju, South Korea
| | - HYUNG-SIK KIM
- Biomedical Engineering, BK21+ Research Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Research Institute of Biomedical Engineering, School of ICT Convergence Engineering, College of Science & Technology, Konkuk University, Chungju, South Korea
| | - JI-HUN JO
- Biomedical Engineering, BK21+ Research Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Research Institute of Biomedical Engineering, School of ICT Convergence Engineering, College of Science & Technology, Konkuk University, Chungju, South Korea
| | - JI-SUN KIM
- Biomedical Engineering, BK21+ Research Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Research Institute of Biomedical Engineering, School of ICT Convergence Engineering, College of Science & Technology, Konkuk University, Chungju, South Korea
| | - JAE-HOON JUN
- Biomedical Engineering, BK21+ Research Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Research Institute of Biomedical Engineering, School of ICT Convergence Engineering, College of Science & Technology, Konkuk University, Chungju, South Korea
| | - JONG-RAK PARK
- Department of Photonic Engineering, Chosun University, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - SOON-CHEOL CHUNG
- Biomedical Engineering, BK21+ Research Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Research Institute of Biomedical Engineering, School of ICT Convergence Engineering, College of Science & Technology, Konkuk University, Chungju, South Korea
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OH HANBYEOL, KIM JISUN, JUNG GUIN, BAEK JINYOUNG, KIM JUNGGIL, JUN JAEHOON. CHANGE OF INDUCED STRESS WAVE ON COLLAGEN TISSUE FOR BIOSTIMULATION BY FREQUENCY-DOUBLED Nd:YAG LASER. J MECH MED BIOL 2018. [DOI: 10.1142/s0219519418400031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
In this research, thermoelastic effect was investigated for biostimulation without damage on the biological medium using laser. Thermoelastic effect was generated and mechanical stress was induced by laser irradiation on the collagen, the main protein in the human body, under various conditions with short pulsed laser. The threshold laser energy to induce stress wave in each medium thickness was examined with a piezo sensor. Based on the test, the stimulation strength can be controlled through the adjustment of medium thickness, laser energy and beam diameter. The result implies that precise stimulation with various strengths of stress waves can be generated at the target depth without direct contact with the biological medium. This research can be used valuably in various fields such as contactless biostimulation, low power laser treatment and laser haptic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- HAN-BYEOL OH
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, BK21+ Research Institute of Biomedical Engineering, College of Biomedical & Health Science, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, South Korea
| | - JI-SUN KIM
- Daegu Technopark, Mobile Technology Convergence Center, 46-17, Seongseogongdan-ro, Dalseo-gu, Daegu 42716, South Korea
| | - GU-IN JUNG
- Laser Application Center, 70, Dongnae-ro, Dong-gu, Daegu 41061, South Korea
| | - JIN-YOUNG BAEK
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, BK21+ Research Institute of Biomedical Engineering, College of Biomedical & Health Science, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, South Korea
| | - JUNGGIL KIM
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Graduate School, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, South Korea
| | - JAE-HOON JUN
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, BK21+ Research Institute of Biomedical Engineering, College of Biomedical & Health Science, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, South Korea
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Lee H, Kim JS, Kim JY, Choi S, Jun JH, Park JR, Kim AH, Oh HB, Baek JH, Yang SJ, Kim HS, Chung SC. Mid-Air Tactile Stimulation Using Indirect Laser Radiation. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON HAPTICS 2016; 9:574-585. [PMID: 27214916 DOI: 10.1109/toh.2016.2569081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, we demonstrate that a laser irradiated on a thin light-absorbing elastic medium attached on the skin can elicit a tactile sensation of mechanical tap. First, we present simulation results that show laser irradiation to the elastic medium creates inner elastic waves on the basis of thermoelastic effects and these elastic waves trigger the bending deformation of the medium, which then stimulates the skin. Second, we analyze the physical properties of the associated stimulus by measuring its force profile. Third, we identify the perceptual characteristics of the stimulus in comparison to those of mechanical and electrical stimuli by means of a perceptual experiment employing dissimilarity rating. All the evidence indicates that indirect laser radiation provides a sensation of short mechanical tap. Furthermore, little individual difference was observed in the results of the perceptual experiment. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first in reporting the feasibility of indirect laser radiation for mid-air tactile rendering.
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