Medical instrument positioner

A medical instrument positioning device comprising:

• a base member having a base and a central shaft operatively associated with the base;
• a carriage member having a cavity configured and dimensioned to receive at least a portion of a medical instrument and slideably connected to the central shaft;
• a drive member removably coupled to the carriage member and engageable with the central shaft for movement along the central shaft;
• and
• a safety release element that uncouples the drive member from the carriage member when a movement force on the carriage member exceeds a threshold value.

A medical instrument positioning device comprising:

• a base member having a base and a central shaft operatively associated with the base;
• a carriage member (a) comprising a longitudinal cavity configured and dimensioned to laterally receive at least a portion of a medical instrument and (b) translatable with respect to the central shaft;
• a drive member operable to translate the carriage member with respect to the central shaft, the drive member being engageable with the central shaft for controlled movement dependent on the central shaft and disengageable from the central shaft for translational movement independent of the central shaft;
• and
• a quick release member operatively associated with the drive member and having an inactive configuration in which the drive member engages the central shaft for controlled movement of the drive member and an active configuration in which the drive member disengages the central shaft for translation of the drive member independent of the central shaft.