Insertion shroud for surgical instrument

Abstract

A shroud is provided which includes a rounded atraumatic distal configuration. The shroud is configured and dimensioned to be positioned on the distal end portion of a surgical instrument. The shroud is movable between a first position in which a distal portion of the shroud extends beyond a distal end of a tool assembly of the surgical instrument and a second position in which the distal portion of the shroud is positioned proximal to the distal end of the tool assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A shroud configured for use with a surgical instrument, the shroud comprising:
 a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a central body portion, the proximal portion being flexible to enable a diameter of the proximal portion to change during movement of the shroud between a first position and a second position, the shroud being positionable on a portion of a surgical instrument and being movable between the first position where the distal portion extends beyond a distal end of a tool assembly of the surgical instrument and the second position where the distal portion is positioned proximal to the distal end of the tool assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The shroud according to  claim 1 , wherein an entirety of the shroud is configured for endoscopic insertion into a body. 
     
     
         3 . The shroud according to  claim 1 , further including a flange positioned to engage a distal end of the surgical instrument when the shroud is in the first position. 
     
     
         4 . The shroud according to  claim 1 , wherein a distal end of the distal portion is substantially bullet-shaped. 
     
     
         5 . The shroud according to  claim 1 , wherein the distal portion includes a plurality of distal segments which define a plurality of slits. 
     
     
         6 . The shroud according to  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of distal segments are flexible to facilitate movement of the shroud between the first position and the second position. 
     
     
         7 . The shroud according to  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of distal segments are configured to move toward a collapsed configuration during insertion of a portion of the surgical instrument into a body. 
     
     
         8 . The shroud according to  claim 1 , wherein the proximal portion includes a plurality of flexible proximal segments which define a plurality of slits, the flexible proximal segments being outwardly flexible to facilitate positioning the shroud on the surgical instrument. 
     
     
         9 . The shroud according to  claim 1 , wherein a proximal-most end of the shroud is configured for insertion into a body. 
     
     
         10 . A shroud configured for use with a surgical instrument, the shroud comprising:
 a proximal portion, a central body portion, and a distal portion, the shroud being positionable on a portion of the surgical instrument and being movable between a first position where the distal portion extends beyond a distal end of a tool assembly of the surgical instrument and a second position where the distal portion is positioned proximal to the distal end of the tool assembly, wherein an entirety of the shroud is configured for endoscopic insertion into a body.   
     
     
         11 . The shroud according to  claim 10 , wherein the proximal portion is flexible to enable a diameter of the proximal portion to change during movement of the shroud between the first position and the second position. 
     
     
         12 . The shroud according to  claim 10 , further including a flange positioned to engage a distal end of the surgical instrument when the shroud is in the first position. 
     
     
         13 . The shroud according to  claim 10 , wherein a distal end of the distal portion defines a rounded, atraumatic configuration. 
     
     
         14 . The shroud according to  claim 10 , wherein the distal portion includes a plurality of distal segments which define a plurality of slits. 
     
     
         15 . The shroud according to  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of distal segments are flexible to facilitate movement of the shroud between the first position and the second position. 
     
     
         16 . The shroud according to  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of distal segments are configured to move toward a collapsed configuration during insertion of a portion of the surgical instrument into a body. 
     
     
         17 . The shroud according to  claim 10 , wherein the proximal portion includes a plurality of flexible proximal segments which define a plurality of slits, the flexible proximal segments being outwardly flexible to facilitate positioning the shroud on the surgical instrument. 
     
     
         18 . The shroud according to  claim 1 , wherein a proximal-most end of the shroud is configured for insertion into a body.