Patent · US Expired

Apparatus for use in training an operator in the use of an endoscope system

US6926531B2 · kind B2 · utility

5Cited by
8References
10Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateDec 11, 2002
Grant dateAug 9, 2005
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 11, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG09B23/285
  • WIPO fieldControl
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An apparatus for use in a simulator for an endoscopy system. The apparatus comprises a rotatable disc (2) on which a plurality of rollers (6, 7) are mounted to surround the axis of rotation (4) of the disc. A force feedback motor is provided to resist rotation of the disc (2) and a further motor (12, 13) is provided to resist rotation of at least one of the rollers. These mechanisms provide rotational and linear force feedback respectively against movement of a dummy instrument inserted along the axis (4). A separate mechanism of similar construction, but without force feedback motors is provided independently of the force feedback arrangement to provide independent linear and rotary sensing of the position of the instrument.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.