Case Studies

3D Simulation Virtual Environment for Product Development

Realistic Model of Instrument
Posted in Application Development, Consumer Goods, Embedded Development & Programming, Medical and Pharmaceutical, PC Application Development, Product Development

Summary

DMC worked with a medical device company to develop a virtual simulation environment for testing a surgical product under development.  The end system allows the development team to quickly test and optimize different product control algorithms without compromising development timeline and budget.

3D Physics Engine Based Simulation

Game In Action

3D Physics Engine Based Simulation

3D Physics In Action

Solution

A medical device company required an optimized interface design in a short period of time for an advanced surgical device under development.  Iterations of physical adjustment to the product followed by testing would be too time intensive and expensive to meet their strict development requirements and deadlines.  The company approached DMC with a desire to virtualize their user interface testing.

DMC worked with the client to add sensors to the prototype interface.  DMC took CAD files from the client and used them to generate a realistic 3D model of the surgical device output instrument.  The final system allows users to control the device in a realistic 3D virtual environment, allowing end users to interact with virtual objects to test surgical dexterity.  To control the 3D model, the user places their arms and hands in the actual 14-axis device that will be used for control on the final product.  Different control algorithms and settings are changed on-the-fly in the software and then immediately tested by end users.  This allows the development team to optimize the product and user interface for the best surgical control and dexterity without compromising product development timeline and budget.

The surgical device is a complex model of 14 axes of motion, requiring delicate physic programming in the back end to make the 3D movement realistic and true to life.

The slick and fun interface also has future potential to be used as a marketing and training tool.

Customer Benefits

  • Reduced development cost and time by allowing new ideas and concepts to be tested in a virtual environment rather than requiring costly and time intensive mechanical prototyping
  • Allowed for ergonomic product development by providing a system where new interfaces could be quickly and iteratively tested with surgeons and end users
  • Compact design allowed mobile setup and testing at multiple locations around the country, increasing feedback base of users
  • Fun, interactive environment has future potential to be used as a marketing and training tool

Technologies