SHEATH AND APPLICATOR FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENT

摘要

A sterile sheath (12) and applicator (14) apparatus for use with a surgical instrument (100), includes a flexible sheath member (12) defining a longitudinal bore (20) at least extending through the proximal end (16) thereof dimensioned for reception of an elongated portion (104) of a surgica l instrument and an applicator (14) mounted adjacent the proximal end (16) of the sheath member (12) for facilitating positioning of the sheath member (12 ) about the elongated portion (104) of the surgical instrument (100). The applicator (14) includes a hollow tube portion defining an axial bore therethrough and a handle (34) operatively connected to the tube portion. Th e tube portion is sufficient in length to support the sheath member (12) in a folded condition thereof with a major portion of the length of the sheath member disposed about the tubular portion. The handle (34) is dimensioned to be engaged by a surgeon and manipulated to extend the sheath member (12) abo ut the elongated portion (104) of the instrument (100) to an extended position with the elongated portion (104) at least partially received within the longitudinal bore (20) of the sheath member (12).