Insulation of an Electrosurgical Instrument

1 . A device configured to apply an insulating sleeve to an electrosurgical instrument, the device comprising a housing, the housing comprising:

a first end;

a second end;

a hollow channel extending from the first end to the second end, the channel being configured to receive an electrosurgical instrument comprising an end effector connected to a shaft by a distal articulation;

a support structure internal to the channel, wherein the proximal end of the support structure is located on a ledge that separates a first portion of the channel from a second portion of the channel, the support structure being configured to:

support an insulating sleeve such that the insulating sleeve surrounds the electrosurgical instrument when the electrosurgical instrument is received by the channel; and

when the electrosurgical instrument is advanced through the channel from the first end to the second end, release the insulating sleeve onto the electrosurgical instrument.

2 . A device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the channel is narrower than the second portion of the channel.

3 . A device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the channel is circular in cross section, the first portion further comprising an opening located on the ledge of the support structure.

4 . A device as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the support structure comprises a plurality of protrusions surrounding the opening, the plurality of protrusions extending distally along an axis that is parallel to an axis along which the channel extends.

5 . A device as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the plurality of protrusions comprises a first set of protrusions and a second set of protrusions, and wherein:

each protrusion of the first set of protrusions extends to a first length; and

each protrusion of the second set of protrusions extends to a second length that is shorter than the first length.

6 . A device as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the length of each protrusion of the second set of protrusions is between 45 to 50% of the length of each protrusion of the first set of protrusion.

7 . A device as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the protrusions of the support structure are uniformly positioned around the opening.

8 . A device as claimed in claim 5 , wherein each of the first and second sets of protrusions comprises two diametrically opposing protrusions.

9 . A device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the housing is formed of a first portion and a second portion, the first portion and the second portion being pivotally coupled.

10 . A device as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the internal mechanisms of the first portion and the second portion are identical.

11 . A device as claimed in claim 9 , the device further comprising a hinge coupled to both the first portion and the second portion, the hinge enabling pivotal rotation of the first portion and the second portion of the housing relative to each other.

12 . A device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the device further comprises a removeable applicator, and wherein the housing is further configured to receive the applicator.

13 . A device as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the applicator comprises:

a first end that can be coupled to the second end of the device;

a second end that can be positioned at the first end of the device and configured to receive an end effector; and

a shaft extending between the first end and the second end.

14 . A device as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the first end of the applicator comprises a laterally extending member configured to releasably engage the first end of the housing.

15 . A device as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the end effector is a pair of forceps and the second end of the applicator comprises an aperture configured to house the tips of the forceps when they are closed.

16 . A device as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the diameter of the shaft of the applicator is smaller than the diameter of the shaft of the electrosurgical instrument.

17 . A device as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the shaft of the applicator comprises a limiting ring, and wherein the diameter of the limiting ring is larger than the inner diameter of the insulating sleeve.

18 . A device as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the protrusions are angled such that the distance between two diametrically opposing protrusions is smaller than the shaft of the electrosurgical instrument.

19 . A method for applying an insulating sleeve to an electrosurgical instrument, the electrosurgical instrument comprising an end effector connected to a shaft by a distal articulation at a distal end of the instrument, the method comprising:

applying the insulating sleeve to a support structure of a device, the device comprising a housing with a first end, a second end, and a hollow channel extending from the first end to the second end, the support structure being internal to the channel and configured to interface with the insulating sleeve, the proximal end of the support structure being located on a ledge that separates a first portion of the channel from a second portion of the channel;

progressing the shaft of the electrosurgical instrument through the hollow channel of the device; and

engaging the shaft of the electrosurgical instrument with the support structure, which pushes the insulating sleeve off of the support structure and onto the electrosurgical instrument.

20 . A method for removing an insulating sleeve from an electrosurgical instrument, the electrosurgical instrument comprising an end effector connected to a shaft by a distal articulation at the distal end of the instrument, the insulating sleeve being applied to the distal end of the electrosurgical instrument, the method comprising:

positioning the electrosurgical instrument within a device, the device comprising a housing with a first end, a second end, a hollow channel extending from the first end to the second end, the channel being configured to receive the electrosurgical instrument, and a support structure internal to the housing, the support structure being further configured to interface with an insulating sleeve;

progressing the first end of the housing of the device towards the distal end of the surgical instrument, such that the insulating sleeve is brought into contact with the support structure; and

applying force to the housing such that, when the insulating sleeve is brought into contact with the support structure, the housing progresses with the support structure of the housing towards the distal end of the surgical instrument, until the insulating sleeve is removed from the distal end of the electrosurgical instrument.