Virtual operation simulator

US8616894B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Karl Storz GmbH & Co. KG · DE

Inventors

• Andre Ehrhardt · Tuttlingen, DE
• Klaus Irion · Liptingen, DE
• Björn Speiser · Rottweil, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 21, 2005
• Grant date: Dec 31, 2013
• Expiry date: Mar 13, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G09B23/285
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

The invention relates to a virtual OP simulator (10) for training for minimal-invasive operations, in particular for endourological interventions, having a simulation calculator unit (12), at least one instrument (40), at least one instrument input unit (30) for picking up the instrument (40), with the instrument input unit (30) allowing and recording movement of the instrument (40) in a predetermined number of degrees of freedom, and a force feedback unit (60) which is associated with the instrument input unit (30) and applies variable forces to the instrument (40) directly or indirectly via the instrument input unit (30). A monitoring control unit (20) is provided, which is connected to the simulation computer unit (12) and to the instrument input unit (30), with the monitoring control unit (20) having a first interface (24) which provides communication of parameters between the monitoring control unit (20) and the simulation computer unit (12) at a speed in the region of the video framing rate, and having a second interface (26) which provides communication of parameters with the instrument input unit (30) at a speed which is higher than, in particular a multiple of, the video f…