| CPC B25J 18/025 (2013.01) [A61B 1/00149 (2013.01); A61B 1/00154 (2013.01)] | 22 Claims |

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1. An apparatus for deploying a flexible tubular member, the apparatus comprising:
a base;
a vertically-arranged link assembly connected to the base and comprising: a plurality of links that are vertically adjacent to each other relative to a ground, wherein adjacent links are each slidably coupled together by a pair of opposing flexible bands that extend around one or more surfaces of a shuttle in opposite directions, wherein shuttles between adjacent links are coupled together on a synchronization belt;
a linear driver coupled to a first shuttle of the shuttles; and
a mount assembly coupled to the vertically-arranged link assembly, wherein the mount assembly comprises an engagement surface that is configured to couple to the flexible tubular member.
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