Patent ID: 8480406

Claim:
An apparatus for simulating a procedure, comprising: a capture mechanism comprising: a first end and a second end, a length dimension and a cross-sectional dimension, the capture mechanism configured to: receive an insertion device therein at the first end, automatically adjust the cross-sectional dimension in response to the insertion device adjusting the length dimension while moving in a longitudinal direction within the capture mechanism toward the second end of the capture mechanism, the adjusted cross-sectional dimension of the capture mechanism configured to either grasp or release the insertion device from the capture mechanism based on the movement of the insertion device with respect to the second end, provide a rotational degree of freedom to the insertion device while the capture mechanism has grasped the insertion device such that the insertion device remains grasped while being manipulated in the rotational degree of freedom, and couple to and move with a carrier assembly, the carrier assembly moveable in a translational degree of freedom.