System and apparatus for guiding an instrument

A method for providing a visible reference to guide an instrument, the method comprising,

• providing an imaging device capable of imaging a target and an instrument position;
• providing a visual alignment module, the visual alignment module comprising:
• a visible light source;
• a refraction/reflection member for receiving light from the visible light source, the refraction/reflection member being substantially transparent to the imaging device and being disposed in an imaging path of the imaging device;
• wherein the visible light source is disposed offset from the imaging path of the imaging device;
• using the refraction/reflection member to provide a visible reference of the imaging path;
• and
• guiding the instrument into the imaging path based on the visible reference.