Laparoscopic simulation interface

1. An apparatus comprising:

a manipulandum configured as a surgical instrument;

a closed loop linkage system including a first central member fixedly coupled to a first object coupling and a second central member fixedly coupled to a second object coupling, wherein the first and second object couplings are separately coupled to the manipulandum to allow the manipulandum to be moveable in a plurality of rotary degrees of freedom and an axial degree of freedom;

a force feedback system coupled to the linkage system, wherein the force feedback system selectively applies resistive forces to the manipulandum based on the position of the manipulandum with respect to one or more reference coordinates.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the manipulandum includes a grip portion and an elongated portion.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the manipulandum is representative of a laparoscopic instrument.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the manipulandum is representative of an endoscopic instrument.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the manipulandum is representative of a catheter.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the manipulandum is representative of a hypodermic needle.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the force feedback system further comprises a sensor configured to detect movement of the manipulandum in at least one degree of freedom with respect to the one or more reference coordinates.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the force feedback system further comprises an actuator configured to provide a force to the manipulandum in at least one degree of freedom in response to signals received from a computer system.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the force feedback system inputs and receives signals from a simulation program in a computer system, the simulation program providing the one or more reference coordinates.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a capstan drive mechanism coupled to the linkage system, the capstan mechanism to facilitate a transmission of the feedback force from an actuator to the linkage system.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the capstan mechanism further comprises

a capstan drum;

a pulley coupled to the capstan drum; and

a cable coupled to the capstan drum and in contact with the pulley.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the force feedback system further comprises a sensor configured to detect movement of the manipulandum along at least one of the rotary degrees of freedom.

13. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the force feedback system further comprises a sensor configured to detect movement of the manipulandum along the axial degree of freedom.

14. A closed loop linkage system of an apparatus adapted to simulate a surgical instrument comprising:

a ground member;

first and second extension members in contact with the ground member;

a first central member coupled to the first extension member at a first end, the first central member including a first object coupling rigidly attached thereto at a second end, wherein the first object coupling is adapted to receive a portion of a manipulandum; and

a second central member coupled to the second extension member at a first end, the second central member including a second object coupling rigidly attached thereto at a second end, wherein the second object coupling is coaxial with the first object coupling and is adapted to receive the portion of the manipulandum,

wherein the linkage system allows the manipulandum to be moveable in a plurality of rotary degrees of freedom and an axial degree of freedom.

15. The linkage system according to claim 14 wherein the manipulandum is representative of a laparoscopic instrument.

16. The linkage system according to claim 14 wherein the manipulandum is representative of an endoscopic instrument.

17. The linkage system according to claim 14 wherein the manipulandum is representative of a catheter.

18. The linkage system according to claim 14 wherein the manipulandum is representative of a hypodermic needle.

19. The linkage system according to claim 14 , wherein the linkage system is coupled to a force feedback system, the force feedback system capable of selectively applying resistive forces based on the position of the received manipulandum with respect to one or more reference coordinates.

20. The linkage system according to claim 19 wherein the force feedback system further comprises a sensor adapted to detect movement of the manipulandum in at least one degree of freedom with respect to the one or more reference coordinates.

21. The linkage system according to claim 19 wherein the force feedback system further comprises an actuator adapted to provide a force to the manipulandum in at least one degree of freedom in response to signals received from a computer system.

22. The linkage system according to claim 19 wherein the force feedback system inputs and receives signals from a simulation program in a computer system, the simulation program providing the one or more reference coordinates.

23. The linkage system according to claim 14 further comprising a capstan drive mechanism coupled to the linkage system, the capstan mechanism facilitate a transmission of the feedback force from an actuator to the linkage system.

24. The linkage system according to claim 23 wherein the capstan mechanism further comprises

a capstan drum;

a pulley coupled to the capstan drum; and

a cable coupled to the capstan drum and in contact with the pulley.

25. The linkage system according to claim 19 wherein the force feedback system further comprises a sensor configured to detect movement of the manipulandum along at least one of the rotary degrees of freedom.

26. The linkage system according to claim 19 wherein the force feedback system further comprises a sensor configured to detect movement of the manipulandum along the axial degree of freedom.

27. An apparatus comprising:

a housing having an opening; and

an manipulandum configured to simulate a surgical instrument insertable in the opening, the implement capable of being manipulated axially and rotationally relative to the housing;

a frame assembly to restrict axial movement of the manipulandum along a predetermined axis;

a rotation sensor coupled to the manipulandum, wherein the rotation sensor monitors the axial rotation of the manipulandum relative to the housing;

a position sensor coupled to the manipulandum, wherein the position sensor monitors the axial position of the manipulandum along the predetermined axis;

a cable coupled to the manipulandum; and

a motor coupled to the cable, the motor capable of selectively applying a torque to the cable to apply a resistive force to the manipulandum along the predetermined axis

28. The apparatus according to claim 27 wherein the manipulandum is representative of a laparoscopic instrument.

29. The apparatus according to claim 27 wherein the manipulandum is representative of an endoscopic instrument.

30. The apparatus according to claim 27 wherein the manipulandum is representative of a catheter.

31. The apparatus according to claim 27 wherein the manipulandum is representative of a hypodermic needle.