公开(公告)号：US20150317885A1

公开(公告)日：2015-11-05

申请号：US14268813

申请日：2014-05-02

Applicant: NOVASENTIS, INC.

Inventor： Christophe Ramstein ,  Ausra Liaukeviciute ,  Richard Ducharme

IPC: G08B6/00

CPC classification number: G08B6/00 ,  H04M1/7253

Abstract: A wearable haptic device includes (a) substrate having provided thereon a fastener (e.g., adhesive) for attachment to a user; (b) one or more EMP transducers attached to the substrate, such that a mechanical response in each EMP transducer may provide a haptic response of sufficient magnitude to be felt by the user; and (c) control circuit controlling the vibration frequency, the time of operation and the duration for each activation of the EMP transducer. The wearable haptic device may include a wireless communication circuit (e.g., Bluetooth transceiver) for receiving message from an external device (e.g., smartphone). The control circuit interprets message received and according to the interpreted message provides an electrical stimulus to cause the mechanical response of the EMP transducer. The EMP transducer may also serve as a sensor, such that a mechanical stimulus on the EMP transducer provides an electrical response that is detected by the control circuit.

Abstract translation: 可穿戴的触觉装置包括（a）在其上设置有用于附接到使用者的紧固件（例如粘合剂）的基底; （b）附接到基底的一个或多个EMP传感器，使得每个EMP换能器中的机械响应可以提供足以使用户感觉到的足够大的触觉响应; 和（c）控制电路，控制振动频率，操作时间和每个激活EMP传感器的持续时间。 可穿戴式触觉装置可以包括用于从外部设备（例如，智能手机）接收消息的无线通信电路（例如，蓝牙收发器）。 控制电路解释所接收的消息，并且根据解释的消息提供电刺激以引起EMP传感器的机械响应。 EMP传感器还可以用作传感器，使得EMP传感器上的机械刺激提供由控制电路检测到的电响应。

公开(公告)号：US10709871B2

公开(公告)日：2020-07-14

申请号：US15832617

申请日：2017-12-05

Applicant: Novasentis, Inc.

Inventor： Richard Ducharme ,  Mark Levatich ,  Christophe Ramstein

IPC: A61M25/01 ,  A61M25/00 ,  A61B18/14 ,  A61B1/005

Abstract: A catheter includes an electromechanical polymer (EMP) actuator disposed in a steerable tip at the distal end of the catheter. When activated, the EMP actuator deflects the steerable tip through an angle between 0 and 270 degrees, thus permitting the operator to steer the steerable tip through the vasculature. The steerable tip also has at least a first relatively stiff region and a second relatively flexible region, and the EMP actuator is provided next to the first relatively stiff region so that the steerable tip may toward the flexible region when activated. In one implementation, an external interface allows a user to select by name one of many sets of control signals, with each set of control signals being signals calibrated for configuring the catheter to mimic a known catheter.

公开(公告)号：US10088936B2

公开(公告)日：2018-10-02

申请号：US13735804

申请日：2013-01-07

Applicant: Novasentis, Inc.

Inventor： Brian C. Zellers ,  Li Jiang ,  Christophe Ramstein ,  Stephen Davis ,  M. Fabrice Domingues Dos Santos

IPC: G06F3/02 ,  G09G5/00 ,  G06F3/041 ,  G06F3/01

Abstract: Electromechanical polymer (EMP) actuators are used to create haptic effects on a user interface deface, such as a keyboard. The keys of the keyboard may be embossed in a top layer to provide better key definition and to house the EMP actuator. Specifically, an EMP actuator is housed inside an embossed graphic layer that covers a key of the keyboard. Such a keyboard has a significant user interface value. For example, the embossed key provides the tactile effect of the presence of a key with edges, while allowing for the localized control of haptic vibrations. For such applications, an EMP transducer provides high strains, vibrations or both under control of an electric field. Furthermore, the EMP transducer can generate strong vibrations. When the frequency of the vibrations falls within the acoustic range, the EMP transducer can generate audible sound, thereby functioning as an audio speaker.

公开(公告)号：US09170650B2

公开(公告)日：2015-10-27

申请号：US13683928

申请日：2012-11-21

Applicant: Novasentis, Inc.

Inventor： Christophe Ramstein ,  Li Jiang ,  Brian C. Zellers ,  Shihai Zhang ,  Richard Ducharme ,  Stephen Davis ,  M. Fabrice Domingues Dos Santos

IPC: G06F3/01 ,  H01L41/18 ,  H01L41/08 ,  H01L41/193 ,  H01L41/09

CPC classification number: G06F3/016 ,  H01L41/0926 ,  H01L41/0986 ,  H01L41/193

Abstract: A localized multimodal haptic system includes one or more electromechanical polymer (EMP) transducers, each including an EMP layer, such as an electrostrictive polymer active layer. In some applications the EMP transducer may perform an actuator function or a sensor function, or both. The EMP polymer layer has a first surface and a second surface on which one or more electrodes are provided. The EMP layer of the EMP actuator may be 5 microns thick or less. The EMP transducers may provide local haptic response to a local a stimulus. In one application, a touch sensor may be associated with each EMP transducer, such that the haptic event at the touch sensor may be responded to by activating only the associated EMP transducer. Furthermore, the EMP transducer may act as its own touch sensor. A variety of haptic responses may be made available. The EMP transducers may be used in various other applications, such as providing complex surface morphology, keyboard, braille display, and audio speakers.

Abstract translation: 局部多模式触觉系统包括一个或多个机电聚合物（EMP）换能器，每个都包括EMP层，例如电致伸缩聚合物活性层。 在某些应用中，EMP传感器可以执行执行器功能或传感器功能，或两者兼有。 EMP聚合物层具有第一表面和第二表面，其上设置有一个或多个电极。 EMP致动器的EMP层可以为5微米厚或更小。 EMP传感器可以为局部刺激提供局部触觉响应。 在一个应用中，触摸传感器可以与每个EMP传感器相关联，使得触摸传感器处的触觉事件可以通过仅激活相关联的EMP换能器来响应。 此外，EMP换能器可以作为其自身的触摸传感器。 可以提供各种触觉响应。 EMP传感器可用于各种其他应用，例如提供复杂的表面形态，键盘，盲文显示和音频扬声器。

公开(公告)号：US09164586B2

公开(公告)日：2015-10-20

申请号：US13683980

申请日：2012-11-21

Applicant: Novasentis, Inc.

Inventor： Brian C. Zellers ,  Shihai Zhang ,  Christophe Ramstein ,  Raj P. Pathak ,  M. Fabrice Domingues Dos Santos

IPC: G08B6/00 ,  G06F3/01 ,  G06F3/041

CPC classification number: G06F3/016 ,  G06F3/041

Abstract: A localized multimodal haptic system includes one or more electromechanical polymer (EMP) transducers, each including an EMP layer, such as an electrostrictive polymer active layer. In some applications the EMP transducer may perform an actuator function or a sensor function, or both. The EMP polymer layer has a first surface and a second surface on which one or more electrodes are provided. The EMP layer of the EMP actuator may be 5 microns thick or less. The EMP transducers may provide local haptic response to a local a stimulus. In one application, a touch sensor may be associated with each EMP transducer, such that the haptic event at the touch sensor may be responded to by activating only the associated EMP transducer. Furthermore, the EMP transducer may act as its own touch sensor. A variety of haptic responses may be made available. The EMP transducers may be used in various other applications, such as providing complex surface morphology and audio speakers.

Abstract translation: 局部多模式触觉系统包括一个或多个机电聚合物（EMP）换能器，每个都包括EMP层，例如电致伸缩聚合物活性层。 在某些应用中，EMP传感器可以执行执行器功能或传感器功能，或两者兼有。 EMP聚合物层具有第一表面和第二表面，其上设置有一个或多个电极。 EMP致动器的EMP层可以为5微米厚或更小。 EMP传感器可以为局部刺激提供局部触觉响应。 在一个应用中，触摸传感器可以与每个EMP传感器相关联，使得触摸传感器处的触觉事件可以通过仅激活相关联的EMP换能器来响应。 此外，EMP换能器可以作为其自身的触摸传感器。 可以提供各种触觉响应。 EMP传感器可用于各种其他应用，例如提供复杂的表面形态和音频扬声器。