Patent ID: 8632064
Filing Date: 2014-01-21
Classification: A61B,A61F,B25J,F16C

Abstract:
1. A positioning system comprising: a base; a manually movable end effector; a first joint and a second joint, each interposed between the base and the end effector; a first link interposed between the first joint and the base; a second link interposed between the first joint and the end effector; a third link interposed between the second joint and the base; and a fourth link interposed between the second joint and the end effector, wherein the second joint, the third link, and the fourth link are together interposed between the base and the end effector in a parallel manner with the first joint, the first link, and the second link to form two separate paths between the base and the end effector, wherein the first and the second links each have a fixed length to keep a fixed distance between the first joint and any adjacent joint, the base or the end effector, wherein the second and the third links each have a fixed length to keep a fixed distance between the second joint and any adjacent joint, the base or the end effector, the first joint and the second joint each comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion coupled together by magnetic attraction and configured to be intermittently separated by a pressurized gas cushion, the first joint and the second joint each configured to be changeable between a movable state in which the proximal and distal portions are separated by the pressurized gas cushion and movable relative to each other in at least two degrees of freedom, and a fixed state in which the proximal and distal portions contact each other and relative movement is thereby impeded, wherein the first link is movable relative to the second link when the first joint is in the movable state, and relative movement between the first and second links is impeded when the first joint is in the fixed state, and wherein the third link is movable relative to the fourth link when the second joint is in the movable state, and relative movement between the third and fourth links is impeded when the second joint is in the fixed state.