The simball 4D joystick was originally developed for simulation training of endoscopy in general and especially laparoscopy. After the general success since launching 2007 G-coder Systems now stepwise will increase the number of applications for simball 4D.

In order to enable further application development the simball 4D hardware has been integrated with the software platform H3D API from Sensegraphics AB in Stockholm, Sweden. By this integration it is now possible to use the dual open source H3D API to develop sophisticated applications where the user can interact with simball 4D in virtual environment requiring 4D tracking.

Jonas Nilsagård, CEO of G-coder Systems says: ”Sensegraphics software development platform has a large user base amongst researchers and universities all around the world. The porting of our hardware with H3D API from Sensegraphics allows us to spread the knowledge and use of our simball 4D joystick in a time and cost effective manner.”

In addition, G-coder Systems has developed new handles. Except for the standard grasper (left image above) a close to reality camera handle (right image above) for endoscopic simulation is now launched. It includes functionalities like zoom, focus and image locking and enables the surgeons to train their ability to navigate the camera in a virtual body.

Moreover a special knob (left image) handle for virtual training of stroke patients has been developed. Although still in an early phase it is one of the prioritised new segments for the further application developments for simball 4D. Pilot studies will be performed during 2008 to verify the benefits for stroke patients with virtual training using simball 4D.

“The handle flexibility is really one of the real strengths of the simball 4D concept and will enhance the number of potential application segments for simball 4D”, continues Jonas Nilsagård. “Stepwise building a handle assortment is therefore a key issue for us”, he summarizes.   



More info on G-coder Systems:
Please contact Jonas Nilsagård,
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