Patent ID: 7594815

Claim:
A videoendoscopic surgery trainer for the practice of videoendoscopic surgery techniques, the trainer comprising: (a) a housing defining a practice volume, the housing defining an opening through which a plurality of practice surgical tools are introduced into the practice volume; (b) a simulated laparoscope comprising: (i) a handle having a size and shape simulating a handle of a medical laparoscope; (ii) an elongate member extending from a distal portion of the handle into the practice volume; (iii) a digital video camera coupled to a distal end of the elongate member, such that manually changing a position of the proximal end of the elongate member results in a change in a position of the digital video camera, the elongate member movably supporting the digital video camera externally of the elongate member, the digital camera being thus disposed within the practice volume, the digital video camera being configured to capture a plurality of frames per second, such that the digital video camera can provide a digital video feed of at least a portion of the practice volume; and (iv) a data cable having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end being logically coupled to the digital video camera, the proximal end being configured to logically couple to at least one of a display and a computing device, a first portion of the data cable extending from the digital video camera and the handle being disposed inside the elongate member, a second portion of the data cable extending from the handle to the proximal end of the data cable, the second portion of the data cable extending outwardly and away from a proximal portion of the handle, the data cable being configured to be coupled to a computing device; and (c) a support structure for movably supporting the simulated laparoscope relative to the housing, the support structure being coupled to an upper portion of the housing, the support structure comprising: (i) a first adjustable bracket configured to engage the elongate member, such that an amount of the elongate member disposed within the practice volume can be increased and decreased as desired; (ii) a second adjustable bracket configured to movably support the elongate structure, to enable a position of the digital video camera coupled to the distal end of the elongate member to be tilted; and (iii) a support member configured to support the second adjustable bracket and to pivotably engage the housing, the support member having a proximal end disposed inside the practice volume, to enable a position of the digital video camera coupled to the distal end of the elongate member to be panned; wherein the simulated laparoscope and support structure are disposed relative to the opening such that a student positioned at a front of the housing can use his hands to manipulate the simulated laparoscope, the support structure, and the plurality of practice surgical tools.