AN APPARATUS FOR USE IN TRAINING AN OPERATOR IN THE USE OF AN ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM

摘要

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.