A method and a system for simulating the minimally invasive medical procedure
of
urological endoscopy. The system is designed to simulate the actual medical procedure
of urological endoscopy as closely as possible by providing botha simulated medical
instrument, and tactile and visual feedback as the simulated procedure is performed
on the simulated patient. Particularly preferred features include a multi-path
solution for virtual navigation in a complex anatomy, the simulation of the effect
of the beating heart on the urethra as it crosses the illiac vessel, and the simulated
operation of a guidewire within the urethra In addition, the system and method
optionally and more preferably incorporate the effect of dynamic contrast injection
of dye into the urethra for fluoroscopy. The injection of such dye, and the subsequent
visualization of the urological organ system in the presence of the endoscope,
must be accurately simulated in terms of accurate visual feedback. Thus, the system
and method provide a complete solution to the complex and difficult problem of
training students in urological endoscopy procedures.