Patent ID: 8728092

Claim:
A drive system, comprising: a base unit including first and second spools to spool, respectively, first and second wires; and an assembly extending in a longitudinal direction and coupled to the base unit by the first and second wires, the assembly including a mount coupled to the assembly, and the mount including a rotatable portion and first and second wire supports that support, respectively, the first and second wires, wherein: the rotatable portion is rotatable about an axis of rotation that extends in the longitudinal direction, and is structured to hold and rotate an elongated member about the axis of rotation, the first wire support is coupled to the mount and the assembly such that a movement of the first wire along the first wire support causes the mount to move along the assembly in the longitudinal direction, and the second wire support is coupled to the mount and the rotatable portion such that a movement of the second wire along the second wire support causes the rotatable portion to rotate about the axis of rotation of the rotatable portion, and wherein: the base unit includes first and second spool shafts for each of the first and second spools, such that rotational movements of the first and second spools cause rotations of the first and second spool shafts; opposing ends of the first wire are connected to the first and second spools shafts for the first spool, such that the rotational movement of the first spool causes, concurrently, both the first and second spool shafts for the first spool to rotate, causing the first and second spool shafts for the first spool to respectively wind and unwind the first wire; and opposing ends of the second wire are connected to the first and second spools shafts for the second spool, such that the rotational movement of the second spool causes, concurrently, both the first and second spool shafts for the second spool to rotate, causing the first and second spool shafts for the second spool to respectively wind and unwind the second wire.