A robotic system for minimally invasive surgery includes a surgical tool and a docking station for restraining movement of the surgical tool to four degrees of freedom about an incision point in a patient. The docking station includes a plurality of actuators for moving the surgical tool relative to the incision in the patient, and a controller operably connected to the actuators so that movement of the surgical tool may be collaboratively controllable both actively by the controller and manually by a surgeon. Desirably, the surgical tool and the docking station are releasably attachable together. Also disclosed is a computer implemented method employing a first docking station attachable to a suturing surgical tool and a second docking station attachable to gripping surgical tool for autonomously tying a knot in suturing.
U.S. Patent # 6,325,808 issued December 4, 2001.