Surgical instrument guide device

A surgical instrument comprising:

• an elongated instrument shaft having proximal and distal ends;
• an end effector coupled from the distal end of the instrument shaft;
• a control handle disposed at the proximal end of the instrument shaft;
• said elongated instrument shaft, end effector and control handle defining a manually operated instrument having inserted and withdrawn positions;
• a guide member for receiving the manually operated instrument and including;
• a guide shaft having respective proximal and distal ends;
• a distal bendable member at the distal end of said guide shaft and having at least a distal end;
• a proximal articulatable member at the proximal end of said guide shaft and having a proximal end and a distal end;
• an adaptor coupled between the distal end of proximal articulatable member and the proximal end of the guide shaft;
• said adaptor receiving and supporting the distal end of the proximal articulatable member;
• a grip, separate from the manually operated instrument, receiving and supporting the proximal end of the proximal articulatable member;
• a lumen through which the manually operated instrument is inserted distally through at least the grip, proximal articulatable member, guide shaft and distal bendable member;
• said lumen terminating at a distal port at the distal end of the distal bendable member and at a proximal port at the grip;
• and
• actuation means extending between said distal bendable member and said proximal articulatable member;
• said actuation means comprising an electromechanical actuation member;
• said end effector extending from the distal port of the lumen at an operative site and the control handle extending from the proximal port of the lumen when the manually operated instrument is inserted through the lumen;
• whereby any deflection of said proximal articulatable member caused by manipulation of said manually operated instrument causes a corresponding deflection of said distal bendable member for control of said distal bendable member, and in turn, said end effector.