Surgical tool positioning system

Abstract

Described is a tool positioning system comprising an introduction device, a first tool support and a second tool support. The introduction device is constructed and arranged to slidingly receive an articulating probe. The first tool support comprises at least one guide element constructed and arranged to slidingly receive a first tool. The first tool support is oriented toward a first operator location. The second tool support comprises at least one guide element constructed and arranged to slidingly receive a second tool. The second tool support is oriented toward a second operator location.

1 - 258 . (canceled) 
     
     
         259 . A tool positioning system, comprising:
 an introduction device constructed and arranged to slidingly receive an articulating probe;   a first tool support comprising at least one guide element constructed and arranged to slidingly receive a first tool, wherein the first tool support is oriented toward a first operator location; and   a second tool support comprising at least one guide element constructed and arranged to slidingly receive a second tool, wherein the second tool support is oriented toward a second operator location, wherein the first tool is positioned at a first side of a distal end of the articulating probe and the second tool is positioned at a second side of the distal end of the articulating probe opposite the first side, wherein the first tool is controlled by an operator at the first operator location and the second tool is controlled by an operator at the second operator location.   
     
     
         260 . The tool positioning system of  claim 259 , further comprising a third tool support and a fourth tool support, wherein the third tool support comprises at least one guide element constructed and arranged to slidingly receive a third tool and the fourth tool support comprises at least one guide element constructed and arranged to receive a fourth tool. 
     
     
         261 . The tool positioning system of  claim 260 , wherein the first tool and the third tool are positioned at the first side of the distal end of the articulating probe and the second tool and the fourth tool are positioned at the second side of the distal end of the articulating probe opposite the first side. 
     
     
         262 . The tool positioning system of  claim 261 , wherein the first and third tools are controlled by an operator at the first operator location at the first side of the distal end of the articulating probe, and the second and fourth tools are controlled by an operator at the second operator location at the second side of the distal end of the articulating probe. 
     
     
         263 . The tool positioning system of  claim 261 , further comprising a connector coupled to the second tool support and the fourth tool support, wherein the connector is constructed and arranged to maintain a relative position between the second tool support and the fourth tool support. 
     
     
         264 . The tool positioning system of  claim 261 , further comprising a connector coupled to a proximal end of each of the first and third tool supports, and a connector attached to a proximal end of each of the second and fourth tool supports. 
     
     
         265 . The tool positioning system of  claim 259 , wherein the at least one guide element of at least one of the first tool support or the second tool support comprises an inner guide element and an outer guide element. 
     
     
         266 . The tool positioning system of  claim 265 , wherein the outer guide element comprises a first tube and the inner guide element comprises a second tube slidingly positioned in the first tube. 
     
     
         267 . The tool positioning system of  claim 265 , wherein the inner guide element movably extends from the outer guide element. 
     
     
         268 . The tool positioning system of  claim 259 , further comprising a connector coupled to the first tool support and the second tool support, wherein the connector is constructed and arranged to maintain a relative position between the first tool support and second tool support. 
     
     
         269 . The tool positioning system of  claim 268 , further comprising an alternative connector coupled to the first tool support and the second tool support, wherein the alternative connector is constructed and arranged to maintain a relative position between the first tool support and second tool support, wherein the connector is constructed and arranged to position the first tool support and the second tool support in a first geometry, and the alternative connector is constructed and arranged to position the first tool support and the second tool support in a second geometry different than the first geometry including a difference in length, shape or curvature. 
     
     
         270 . The tool positioning system of  claim 259 , wherein the first operator location and the second operator location comprise face-to-face locations. 
     
     
         271 . The tool positioning system of  claim 259 , wherein the introduction device supports, stabilizes, or guides the articulating probe to a region of interest. 
     
     
         272 . The tool positioning system of  claim 259 , wherein at least one of the first tool support or the second tool support is directly anchored to the introduction device 
     
     
         273 . The tool positioning system of  claim 259 , further comprising a controller constructed and arranged to manipulate the articulating probe. 
     
     
         274 . The tool positioning system of  claim 273 , further comprising a first human interface device oriented toward the first operator location, the first human interface constructed and arranged to generate a first control signal received by the controller for manipulating the articulating probe. 
     
     
         275 . The tool positioning system of  claim 274 , further comprising a second human interface device oriented toward the second operator location, the second human interface constructed and arranged to generate a second control signal received by the controller for manipulating the articulating probe. 
     
     
         276 . The tool positioning system of  claim 259 , further comprising a base that comprises openings for receiving the first and second tool supports and the introduction device. 
     
     
         277 . The tool positioning system of  claim 276 , wherein the first and second tool supports and the introduction device are attached to the base at their midportions, or at distal ends thereof. 
     
     
         278 . The tool positioning system of  claim 276 , wherein the base comprises a collar that surrounds at least a portion of the introduction device.