Abstract: A user interface device for a surgical simulation system, comprising a rigid shaft pivotably supported by a frame, and movable in the axial direction but fixed with respect to rotation around its longitudinal axis, and a handle having a sensor body rigidly attached to said rigid shaft, and a grip portion rotatable around said longitudinal axis relative said sensor body. The handle further comprises a rotator sleeve rotatable around said longitudinal axis relative said sensor body and said grip portion, a rotation sensor adapted to detect rotation of said rotator sleeve in relation to said sensor body, and a signal interface mounted on said sensor body and connected to receive a first detection signal from said rotation sensor. Through this design, all sensor elements and electronic circuitry can be provided in or adjacent to the sensor body, leading to an efficient design and manufacturing.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for generating a virtual anatomic environment for use in minimally invasive surgery simulation, comprising the steps of: incorporating a main virtual anatomic environment (1); selecting a local anatomic environment (2) from a predefined library (3) comprising a set of two or more simulated local anatomic environments (2); including the selected local anatomic environment (2) in said main anatomic environment (1) to form a total virtual anatomic environment (4). The invention also relates to a device for generating a virtual anatomic environment for use in minimally invasive surgery simulation, as well as a computer-based minimal-invasive surgery simulation system comprising such a device.

Abstract: A haptic user interface device (1) for a surgical simulation system (2), comprising a frame (11) having a fixed base (12), a neck portion (15) rotatable around a first axis (A) in relation to the base (12), and a suspension portion (16) rotatable around a second axis (B) in relation to the neck portion (15), an instrument (10) having a rigid shaft (21) suspended by the suspension portion (16) so as to be pivotable around the first axis (A) and the second axis (B), a first and second actuator (14, 17) mounted on the frame (11) and arranged to provide force feedback to a user when rotating the instrument (10) around the first axis (A) and the second axis (B). The first and second actuators are mounted on the neck portion (15).

Abstract: A method and a system are for simulating a surgical procedure on a bodily object, such as an organ, in a virtual environment. The virtual environment includes a three-dimensional mathematically described model of the bodily object which reflects geometrical and mechanical properties, and a virtual instrument that is controlled by a physical feeding device, which makes it possible to affect the model. The method includes the steps of representing a two-dimensional projection of the model by way of a video sequence containing a recorded view of a real bodily object, wherein engagement with the virtual instrument only involves interacting with the model. In addition, a method is for simulating an operation containing several surgical procedures.