Patent ID: 8146874

Claim:
An adapter plate assembly for mounting a support assembly used for suspending an instrument driver above an operating table, comprising: a substantially flat main plate having top and bottom surfaces, first and second ends, and two sides; a first clamp assembly coupled to the first end of the main plate and having a first clamp configured for removable attachment to the operating table, the first clamp assembly being extendable from the main plate first end so as to allow for adjusting a width of the adapter plate assembly to accommodate a width of the operating table, the first clamp assembly having a first split clamp which releasably couples to a first vertical adjustment rod, wherein the first split clamp may be released to allow the position of the first clamp assembly to be adjusted vertically along the first adjustment rod to adjust a respective height of the first clamp relative to the top surface of the main plate, and wherein the first split clamp can be tightened to secure the first split clamp to the first adjustment rod; a second clamp assembly coupled to the second end of the main plate and having a second clamp configured for removable attachment to the operating table, the second clamp assembly having a second split clamp which releasably couples to a second vertical adjustment rod, wherein the second split clamp may be released to allow the position of the second clamp assembly to be adjusted vertically along the second adjustment rod to adjust a respective height of the second clamp relative to the top surface of the main plate, and wherein the second split clamp can be tightened to secure the second split clamp to the second adjustment rod; and an adapter rail coupled to the second end of main plate, the adapter rail configured to detachably couple to a support assembly interface and provide sufficient structural support for suspending the instrument driver above the operating table.