An arrangement for supporting a surgical instrument

摘要

An article such as a surgical tool (22) is carried by a carriage (10) which is movable along a curved track (4). The track (4) is pivotable in a support frame (2). By moving the carriage (18) along the track (4), and by pivoting the track (4), the tool (22) can be positioned at any desired orientation and at any position within a working envelope. Further flexibility can be achieved by displacing the support frame (2) relatively to a base. The arrangement may be operated by drive motors under the control of a computer.