CONTROLLABLE MOTORIZED DEVICE FOR PERCUTANEOUS NEEDLE PLACEMENT IN SOFT TISSUE TARGET AND METHODS AND SYSTEMS RELATED THERETO

摘要

Featured in an apparatus that places or locates a proximal end portion of a penetrating member in a target area of a body. Such an apparatus or needle driver is particularly suited for locating a percutaneous needle in a soft tissue target area of a body particularly a body having inhomogenous soft tissues. The apparatus includes a first arm that is configured and arranged so as to support a distal portion of the penetrating member and a first drive mechanism that is coupled to the first arm. The first drive mechanism is configured and arranged to move or translate the first arm from an initial position to any of a number of other positions that are spaced from the initial position and correspondingly translate the proximal end portion of the penetrating member. In another embodiment, the first arm also rotatably supports the penetrating member and the apparatus further includes a second drive mechanism coupled to the penetrating member distal portion and which is configured an arranged to rotate the penetrating member about the translational axis.