The present disclosure provides for systems and methods for active cannula configuration. Active cannula systems include a plurality of telescoping, pre-shaped nitinol tubes configured and dimensioned to reach target locations within a particular anatomical region. A three dimensional image is read for the particular anatomical region. A series of arcs are generated between a point of the anatomical region and a target location. A pathway for the active cannula is calculated from the series of arcs. The pathway is used to configure and dimension the plurality of tubes. The active cannula system is adapted to reach relatively small and complex target locations.
