Surgical arm positioning systems and methods

A surgical arm positioning system comprising:

• a frame having a first frame member and a second frame member;
• when mounted to a surgical table that is lying horizontally, the second frame member being supported with respect to the first frame member to form an obtuse angle between the first frame member and the second frame member,
• the first frame member having a first longitudinal axis, the second frame member having a second longitudinal axis, wherein the first longitudinal axis intersects the second longitudinal axis when mounted to the surgical table such that the first longitudinal axis and second longitudinal axis lie in the same vertically oriented plane;
• a cable having two end portions coupled to a connection member of a hand grip such that the cable and connection member form a continuous loop,
• a plurality of pulleys including a first pulley movable along the first frame member and a second pulley movable along the second frame member, wherein the first and second pulleys are linked to that the first and second pulleys move in unison along the respective first and second frame members, wherein the continuous loop is trained around the plurality of pulleys, and
• a tensile resistance member engaged with the cable for providing tensile force to the cable thereby to resist movement of the continuous loop.