An interface device and method for interfacing instruments to a medical
procedure simulation system serve to interface peripherals in the form of
mock medical instruments to the medical procedure simulation system
computer to enable simulation of medical procedures. The interface device
includes a housing having a mock bodily region of interest to facilitate
insertion of a mock instrument, such as an endoscope tube, into the
interface device. The mock bodily region of interest may be pivotable to
simulate various patient orientations. The instrument is engaged by a
capture mechanism in order to measure rotational and translational motion
of the instrument. An actuator is disposed within the interface device to
provide force feedback to the instrument. The measured motion is provided
to the computer system to reflect instrument motion on the display during
the simulation. Alternatively, the interface device may be configured to
accommodate instrument assemblies having a plurality of nested
instruments (e.g., sheath, catheter and wire), whereby the interface
device individually grasps, measures manipulation of and provides force
feedback to the nested instruments. In addition, the interface device may
be configured to simultaneously accommodate a plurality of independently
inserted instruments.