Tool member cover and cover deployment device

Abstract

A surgical instrument including a tool member cover and a cover deployment device are disclosed. The cover is supported adjacent to or on the tool assembly of the surgical instrument and is movable from a first position in which the tool assembly is uncovered to a second position in which the tool assembly is at least partially encompassed by the cover. The deployment device is provided for moving the cover from the first position to the second position.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A cover deployment device comprising:
 a sleeve having a distal end and a proximal end and defining a lumen, the sleeve including a first sleeve half-section and a second sleeve half-section that are movable in relation to each other between a contracted position and an expanded position; and   at least one expandable member positioned about the sleeve to urge the first and second sleeve half-sections towards the contracted position.   
     
     
         17 . The cover deployment device of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one expandable member includes a first expandable member positioned about the distal end of the sleeve and a second expandable member positioned about the proximal end of the sleeve. 
     
     
         18 . The cover deployment device of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one expandable member is a resilient O-ring. 
     
     
         19 . The cover deployment device of  claim 16 , wherein the sleeve includes a proximally located annular ring. 
     
     
         20 . The cover deployment device of  claim 16 , wherein the first sleeve half-section includes at least one projection and the second sleeve half-section includes at least one slot, the at least one projection being slidable into the at least one slot to maintain alignment between the first and second half-sections when the first and second half-sections are moved between the contracted and expanded positions. 
     
     
         21 . The cover deployment device of  claim 20 , wherein the at least one projection includes two projections and the at least one slot includes two slots. 
     
     
         22 . The cover deployment device of  claim 16 , wherein the sleeve defines at least one annular recess, the at least one annular recess being configured to receive the at least one expandable member. 
     
     
         23 . The cover deployment device of  claim 22 , wherein the at least one annular recess includes a first annular recess positioned about the distal end of the sleeve and a second annular recess positioned about the proximal end of the sleeve, each of the first and second annular recesses being configured to receive one of the at least one expandable members. 
     
     
         24 . The cover deployment device of  claim 16 , wherein the distal end of the sleeve includes an annular protrusion. 
     
     
         25 . The cover deployment device of  claim 24 , wherein the annular protrusion is blunt. 
     
     
         26 . A tool member cover and cover deployment device assembly comprising:
 the cover deployment device of claim  1 ; and   a hollow cover having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the hollow cover being positioned distally of the distal end of the sleeve such that distal movement of the sleeve in relation to the cover causes the cover to invert.   
     
     
         27 . The tool member cover and cover deployment device assembly of  claim 26 , further including a closure device configured to close one end of the cover. 
     
     
         28 . The tool member cover and cover deployment device assembly of  claim 27 , wherein the closure device includes a drawstring. 
     
     
         29 . The tool member cover and cover deployment device assembly of  claim 28 , wherein the cover deployment device is separable from the cover. 
     
     
         30 . The tool member cover and cover deployment device assembly of  claim 26 , wherein the at least one expandable member includes a first expandable member positioned about the distal end of the sleeve and a second expandable member positioned about the proximal end of the sleeve. 
     
     
         31 . The tool member cover and cover deployment device assembly of  claim 26 , wherein the at least one expandable member is a resilient O-ring. 
     
     
         32 . The tool member cover and cover deployment device assembly of  claim 26 , wherein the first sleeve half-section includes at least one projection and the second sleeve half-section includes at least one slot, the at least one projection being slidable into the at least one slot to maintain alignment between the first and second half-sections when the first and second half-sections moved between the contracted and expanded positions. 
     
     
         33 . The tool member cover and cover deployment device assembly of  claim 32 , wherein the at least one projection includes two projections and the at least one slot includes two slots. 
     
     
         34 . The tool member cover and cover deployment device assembly of  claim 26 , wherein the sleeve defines at least one annular recess, the at least one annular recess being configured to receive the at least one expandable member. 
     
     
         35 . The tool member cover and cover deployment device assembly of  claim 34 , wherein the at least one annular recess includes a first annular recess positioned about the distal end of the sleeve and a second annular recess positioned about the proximal end of the sleeve, each of the first and second annular recesses being configured to receive one of the at least one expandable members.