Patent ID: 7455523

Claim:
A method for stabilizing a medical device within a haptic interface device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) positioning a first expandable linked structure between a first carriages and a support stand of the haptic interface device, wherein said first expandable linked structure has a plurality of primary links and a plurality of secondary links alternately adhered together at middle portions of each of said plurality of primary links and said plurality of secondary links; (b) receiving the medical device in a support tube attached to said support stand; (c) passing the medical device from said support tube to said first carriage through a plurality of holes in each of said plurality of primary links and a plurality of holes in each of said plurality of secondary links of said first expandable linked structure, wherein said plurality of holes in each of said plurality of primary links and said plurality of holes in each of said plurality of secondary links are aligned together and aligned with said support tube and aligned with an opening in said first carriage; and (d) moving said first carriage a distance away from said support stand, wherein said first expandable linked structure expands and provides stabilizing force to the medical device across said distance.