HOUSTON METHODIST INVENTION:
Six-Degrees-of-Freedom Hand
Controller
Invention
The six-degrees-of-freedom hand controller is the next generation controlling device that
provides greater freedom of navigation while maintaining precision. Operating with a
single hand, a user can simultaneously navigate up to six-degrees-of-freedom enabling
superior flexibility in moving a target in any direction of choice. The six-degrees-of-freedom
hand controller is versatile in its applications. Proposed applications include use in medical
procedures such as endoscopies to control medical instruments; in controlling unmanned
vehicles; in military systems such as handling explosives; for industrial systems including
controlling oil exploration or heavy engineering equipment. It can also be used in
controlling consumer device systems, increasing the capabilities of a video game console, a
radio-controlled vehicle or a 3-D computer navigation system.
Background
Hand controllers, such as joysticks, are used to remotely control the movement of a target object. Conventionally,
multiple discrete controllers have been required for any control system to allow a user to control with more than
3 degrees-of-freedom. For example, one set of controllers provides a variety of rotational movements and then
another set of controllers provide control of navigational parameters like movements along x, y and z axes.
Conventional devices also require the use of both hands to control multiple-degrees-of-freedom. The six-degreesof-freedom hand controller includes a single unified system producing movements in six possible degrees-offreedom which can be operated by a single hand.
Advantages
• This invention gives the user a novel and flexible way of controlling the movement of a target object, in up to
six-degrees-of-freedom.
• Invention can be gripped and operated by a single hand, facilitating precision and potential of multitasking.
• Ability to control in six-degrees-of-freedom simultaneously increases accuracy and speed.
• Six-Degrees of Freedom Hand Controller is highly intuitive to operate.
For more information, contact the Office of Technology Transfer by e-mail at [email protected].
About Houston Methodist
Houston Methodist is comprised of a leading academic medical center in the Texas
Medical Center® and four community hospitals serving the greater Houston area.
Houston Methodist Hospital, the system's flagship, is consistently listed among U.S.
News & World Report's best hospitals and we extend that same level of quality care
across the system. Houston Methodist Research Institute is home to some of the
world’s brightest physician-scientists, working in a collaborative environment on
more than 700 clinical trials. The Research Institute is making strides in the new
440,000-square-foot facility, bringing us even closer to medical breakthroughs in
cardiovascular disease, cancer, infectious disease, neurosciences, diabetes and more.
No warranty: This summary is intended for marketing purposes only, however Houston Methodist does not warrant its accuracy or completeness for that purpose
or any other, and Houston Methodist specifically disclaims all warranties, whether express or implied by law, including any warranty of fitness for particular
purpose and any warranty of noninfringement.