| 20080215066 | Apparatus for Positioning a Medical Instrument Relative to a Patient - The present device provides an apparatus for securely positioning a medical instrument through an incision within a patient. The apparatus comprises a trocar for extending through the incision in the patient and receiving the medical instrument. The apparatus also comprises a drive assembly for moving the medical instrument within the trocar in a direction that extends substantially parallel to the length of the trocar. The drive assembly can have a housing that is spaced from the trocar or that forms a portion of the trocar. The apparatus also includes a positioning system for rotating the medical instrument about a plurality of spaced points located outside the body and a plurality of perpendicularly extending axes. The positioning system includes an adapter for securing the trocar to the positioning system. A first motor system rotates the adapter and trocar about a first axis that extends substantially perpendicular to the length of the trocar and a second motor system rotates the adapter, the trocar and the drive assembly about a second axis that extends substantially perpendicular to the first axis. | 09-04-2008 |
