There is provided a self-aligning ballscrew assembly for a manipulator device for reciprocating an extension element along a linear extension axis, with the self-aligning ballscrew assembly including a ballscrew having a longitudinal axis. A ballscrew bearing block is provided having a ballscrew nut mounted on the ballscrew for translating an extension element of the manipulator device along a linear extension axis in response to relative rotation between the ballscrew and the ballscrew nut, and a drive motor selectively provides relative rotation between the ballscrew and the ballscrew nut. A reed-spring arrangement flexibly connects the bearing block to the manipulator device, with such flexible reed-spring arrangement permitting limited linear movement of the bearing block and ballscrew nut with the ballscrew in a direction normal to the longitudinal axis, as well as limited rotational movement about an axis mutually perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and the normal direction, while maintaining proper angular alignment of the ballscrew nut relative the ballscrew.