METHOD OF PRE-TREATING MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS

Abstract

A method of pre-treating a contaminated medical instrument that is to undergo decontamination involves inserting a distal tip of the instrument into a distal tip protector. The distal tip of the instrument is inserted through a rupturable resilient seal into an internal cavity of the protector that contains a fluid. The distal tip protector thereby maintains a fluid around the distal tip of the instrument until the distal tip protector is removed to allow reprocessing of the instrument to take place, facilitating decontamination of the instrument.

Claims

1. A method of pre-treating a contaminated medical instrument that is to undergo reprocessing, the method comprising; applying a rigid distal tip protector to a distal tip of the instrument; using the distal tip protector to maintain a fluid around the distal tip of the instrument while the distal tip is located within the distal tip protector; wherein the distal tip protector comprises a seal through which the instrument extends when the distal tip of the instrument is located in the distal tip protector, the seal being arranged to conform to a contour of the instrument to inhibit the leakage of fluid from the interior of the distal tip protector, wherein the step of applying the distal tip protector to the distal tip of the instrument comprises inserting the distal tip of the instrument though the seal into the distal tip protector; and rupturing the seal to insert the distal tip of the instrument into the distal tip protector, wherein the distal tip protector is pre-filled with the fluid before the seal is ruptured and the distal tip protector is applied to the distal tip of an instrument, the distal tip protector having a sealed chamber of the fluid into which the distal tip of the instrument is inserted.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the seal is located at a proximal end of the distal tip protector.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the seal is a resilient seal.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: removing the distal tip protector from the instrument; and subjecting the instrument to one or more reprocessing steps, wherein the one or more reprocessing steps comprise one or more decontamination steps.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the one or more reprocessing steps are automated reprocessing steps.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the step of subjecting the instrument to one or more automated reprocessing steps comprises locating the instrument in an automated decontaminating apparatus, and subjecting the instrument to an automated decontaminating cycle of the apparatus, and/or wherein the decontaminating steps are cleaning steps, comprising one or more of; deluge decontamination, ultrasonic decontamination, soaking and internal flushing steps.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the distal tip protector is applied to the distal tip of the instrument at a first location, wherein the first location is a location of use of the instrument, and wherein the distal tip protector is left applied to the distal tip of the instrument maintaining the fluid around the distal tip until the instrument reaches a different, second location, being a reprocessing facility location.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the distal tip protector does not include a sponge material.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the distal tip protector is closed at the distal end thereof to prevent the passage of the fluid therethrough, the distal tip protector comprising no fluid inlet at the distal end thereof.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the distal tip protector is tubular in shape.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the distal tip protector has a length of at least 50 mm and/or the distal tip protector has a length of no greater than 300 mm.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the distal tip protector has a diameter of at least 5 mm and/or the distal tip protector has a diameter of no greater than 25 mm.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the medical instrument is a surgical instrument.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid comprises one or more decontaminating agents.

15. A method comprising: pre-treating a contaminated medical instrument that is to undergo reprocessing including decontamination such as ultrasonic decontamination by maintaining a fluid around a distal tip of the instrument prior to any reprocessing of the instrument as a pre-treatment for the decontamination, the pre-treating including: applying a rigid distal tip protector to the distal tip of the instrument, the distal tip protector having a proximal end and a distal end; using the distal tip protector to maintain the fluid around the distal tip of the instrument while the distal tip of the instrument is located within the distal tip protector, wherein the distal tip protector comprises a seal through which the instrument extends when the distal tip of the instrument is located in the tip protector, the seal being arranged to conform to a contour of the instrument to inhibit the leakage of the fluid from the interior of the distal tip protector; wherein the distal tip protector is closed at the distal end thereof to prevent the passage of the fluid therethrough, the distal tip protector comprising no fluid inlet at the distal end thereof; and removing the distal tip protector from the distal tip of the instrument and only then subjecting the instrument to one or more automated reprocessing steps, wherein the one or more reprocessing steps comprise one or more decontamination steps.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the distal tip protector does not include a sponge material.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of subjecting the instrument to one or more automated reprocessing steps comprises locating the instrument in an automated decontaminating apparatus, and subjecting the instrument to an automated decontaminating cycle of the apparatus.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the decontamination steps are cleaning steps, comprising one or more of; deluge decontamination, ultrasonic decontamination, soaking and internal flushing steps.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the distal tip protector is applied to the distal tip of the instrument at a first location, wherein the first location is a location of use of the instrument, and wherein the distal tip protector is left applied to the distal tip of the instrument maintaining fluid around the distal tip until the instrument reaches a different, second location, being a reprocessing facility location.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the seal is located at a proximal end of the distal tip protector.

21. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of applying the distal tip protector to the distal tip of the instrument comprises inserting the distal tip through the seal into the distal tip protector.

22. The method of claim 15, wherein the medical instrument is a surgical instrument.

23. The method of claim 15, wherein the seal is a resilient seal.

24. The method of claim 15, further comprising a step of supplying the fluid to the distal tip protector before application of the distal tip protector to the distal tip of the instrument.

25. The method of claim 15, comprising applying the distal tip protector to the distal tip of the instrument and using the distal tip protector to maintain the fluid around the distal tip after use of the instrument and before the instrument undergoes reprocessing.

26. The method of claim 15, wherein the distal tip protector is tubular in shape.

27. The method of claim 15, wherein the distal tip protector has a length of at least 50 mm and/or wherein the distal tip protector has a length of no greater than 300 mm.

28. The method of claim 15, wherein the distal tip protector has a diameter of at least 5 mm and/or the distal tip protector has a diameter of no greater than 25 mm.

29. The method of claim 15, wherein the fluid comprises one or more decontaminating agents.

30. A method of pre-treating a contaminated medical instrument that is to undergo reprocessing, the method comprising; applying a distal tip protector to a distal tip of the instrument; and using the distal tip protector to maintain fluid around the distal tip of the instrument while the distal tip is located within the distal tip protector, wherein the distal tip protector comprises a resilient seal through which the instrument extends when the distal tip of the instrument is located in the tip protector, the resilient seal being arranged to conform to a contour of the instrument to inhibit leakage of the fluid from the interior of the distal tip protector.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the distal tip protector is closed at the distal end thereof to prevent the passage of the fluid therethrough, the distal tip protector comprising no fluid inlet at the distal end thereof.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein the distal tip protector is rigid.

33. The method of claim 30, wherein the distal tip protector is rigid and wherein the distal tip protector does not include a sponge material.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the method comprises rupturing the resilient seal to insert the distal tip of the instrument into the distal tip protector.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the distal tip protector is pre-filled with the fluid before the protector is applied to the distal tip of an instrument, wherein the protector comprises a sealed chamber of the fluid into which the distal tip of the instrument is inserted.

36. The method of claim 30, wherein the distal tip protector comprises an internal cavity in which the distal tip is located when the distal tip protector is applied to the instrument, wherein the method comprises using the internal cavity to maintain the fluid around the distal tip of the instrument.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the step of applying the distal tip protector to the distal tip of the instrument comprises inserting the distal tip of the instrument into the internal cavity, wherein the resilient seal is located at an entrance to the internal cavity.

38. The method of claim 36, wherein the distal tip protector comprises a hollow main body having an interior space, the internal cavity being defined at least in part by the interior space of the main body.

39. The method of claim 30, further comprising a step of supplying the fluid to the distal tip protector before or after application of the distal tip protector to the distal tip of the instrument.

40. The method of claim 30, wherein the distal tip protector further comprises heat generating means for heating the fluid around the distal tip when activated, the method further comprising activating the heat generating means to heat the fluid around the distal tip.

41. The method of claim 30, comprising applying the distal tip protector to the distal tip of the instrument and using the distal tip protector to maintain fluid around the distal tip after use of the instrument and before the instrument undergoes reprocessing.

42. The method of claim 30, further comprising removing the distal tip protector from the instrument and subjecting the instrument to one or more reprocessing steps, wherein the one or more reprocessing steps comprise one or more decontamination steps.

43. The method of claim 30, wherein the distal tip protector comprises multiple longitudinal sections that are connected together, the method further comprising a user assembling the sections together to provide the distal tip protector.

44. The method of claim 30, wherein the distal tip protector is tubular in shape.

45. The method of claim 30, wherein the distal tip protector has a length of at least 50 mm, or wherein the distal tip protector has a length of no greater than 300 mm.

46. The method of claim 30, wherein the distal tip protector has a diameter of at least 5 mm or wherein the distal tip protector has a diameter of no greater than 25 mm.

47. The method of claim 30, wherein the medical instrument has a working portion at the distal tip thereof.

48. The method of claim 30, wherein the medical instrument is a surgical instrument.

49. The method of claim 30, wherein the fluid comprises one or more decontaminating agents.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0113] Some preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only and by reference of the accompanying drawing of which;

[0114] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a distal tip protector in accordance with a first embodiment which may be used in the methods of the present invention;

[0115] FIG. 2A is an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of a distal tip protector which may be used in the methods of the invention;

[0116] FIG. 2B is a detail showing the connection of the distal end section to the intermediate section of the distal tip protector shown in FIG. 2A;

[0117] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a distal tip protector in accordance with a further embodiment, and which may be used in the methods of the present invention;

[0118] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of yet another embodiment of a distal tip protector which may be used in the methods of the invention described herein;

[0119] FIG. 5 illustrates the use of a distal tip protector of the type shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with the methods of the present invention to pre-treat an instrument; and

[0120] FIG. 6 illustrates the use of the distal tip protector of FIG. 1 in the pre-treatment of an alternative type of medical instrument;

[0121] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a distal tip protector in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, including guide means for guiding the distal tip of an instrument during insertion;

[0122] FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the embodiment of FIG. 7, and

[0123] FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the distal tip of an instrument with which the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8 may advantageously be used.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0124] Referring to FIG. 1, a distal tip protector in accordance with one embodiment and which may be used in the methods of the invention is designated 1, and includes a main body 3 in the form of a tube that is closed at a distal end 5 thereof. The tube is similar in construction to a test tube. The main body 3 is formed of a suitable rigid material, such as a plastics material or glass. At the proximal end 7 of the main body, a rupturable resilient seal 9 is provided, closing the proximal end 7. FIG. 1 shows the protector 1 in an exploded view without the resilient ruptureable seal 9 being attached to the proximal end 7 of the tube 3. The seal will be attached to the proximal end 7 to define a fluid tight container with the main body to provide the protector that is used in the methods of the invention. This attachment occurs before the protector is supplied to a user. The seal may be of any suitable resilient material which may conform to the contours of an instrument inserted therethrough in use after rupture to provide a barrier to the passage of fluid between the seal and the instrument. The seal also cooperates with the instrument to grip the instrument and maintain the protector attached thereto. For example, the seal may be a polymeric material, such as a cling film type material. In the illustrated embodiment the seal is in the form of a disc shaped liquid impermeable membrane.

[0125] The main body 3 defines a longitudinal side wall and a distal end wall, which are integrally formed with one another. The main body defines an interior space which provides an interior cavity 11 which is filled by a fluid. The fluid is a decontaminating fluid in the form of a liquid, and may be water, or may additionally include one or more decontaminating agents. The seal 9 seals the proximal end of this cavity to provide a fluid tight container.

[0126] The distal tip protector further comprises an end cap 13 which is used to protect the seal 9 before use of the distal tip protector.

[0127] The distal tip protector has a length L and a diameter d.

[0128] FIG. 2A illustrates another embodiment of distal tip protector 10 that may be used in the methods of the invention, and which is similar to that shown in FIG. 1, but is comprises two separate longitudinal sections. The distal end section 12 is connected to a proximal end section 14 to provide the main body of the protector 10. The sections 12, 14 are assembled to one another by a user. A seal 16, which may be in a form of a O-ring seal or similar, provides a fluid tight connection between the sections 12 and 14.

[0129] As in the embodiment of FIG. 1, a ruptureable seal 18 is provided at the proximal end of the proximal end section 14, which is protected by an end cap 19.

[0130] Again, the seal 18 is shown in an exploded view, and will be connected to the proximal end of the section 14 to seal the end of an internal cavity 13 defined by the main body of the protector and provide a fluid container, this time with the main body being defined by the sections 12 and 14 when connected together. A fluid is present in this internal cavity 13 in the use of the protector. The interior spaces of the two sections 12 and 14 define a continuous internal cavity of the main body. The seal is attached to the proximal end of the proximal end section 14 before the end section is supplied to a user.

[0131] FIG. 2B is a detailed view showing the connection of the distal end section 12 to the proximal end section 14, by means of the resilient seal 16. It can be seen that the proximal end of the distal end section 12 is pushed into the distal end of the proximal end section 14. Alternative arrangements might be used to achieve a fluid tight connection e.g. by use of a resilient fit etc.

[0132] In embodiments of the type shown in FIG. 2A or B, the distal tip protector can be filled with a fluid by a user before use. For example, a user might fill the section 14 from the distal end thereof before assembling the distal end section 12 thereto to provide a container for the fluid.

[0133] FIG. 3 illustrates yet another embodiment of a distal tip protector which may be used in accordance with the invention. A distal tip protector 20 this time is of a similar two-piece construction to that shown in FIG. 2A, having a proximal end section 22 and a distal end section 24 which are connected to one another by a user via seal 26 to provide a fluid tight connection therebetween in a similar manner to that described by reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B.

[0134] Once again a proximal end of the proximal end section 22 is sealed by a ruptureable seal 28, which is shown in an exploded view in FIG. 3, but is attached to the proximal end section before it is supplied to a user, and a cap 29 is provided to protect the ruptureable seal 28.

[0135] When the sections 22 and 24 are assembled to one another, the sections provide a main body that defines an interior space providing an internal cavity 23 which contains a fluid during use of the protector. The proximal end of the cavity 23 is sealed by the seal 28 to provide a fluid holding container.

[0136] The embodiment of FIG. 3 differs from that of FIGS. 2A and 2B in the construction of the distal end section 24. Rather than having a closed distal end, this includes a fluid inlet 27 in the form of a luer type connection, through which fluid may be supplied into the internal space defined by the main body provided when the sections 22 and 24 have been assembled to one another e.g. using a syringe.

[0137] Although not shown in FIG. 3, a cap or other closure element may be located over the fluid inlet 27 once fluid has been provided to the interior of the protector to provide a seal resisting the passage of liquid out of the inlet once more. In other arrangements the inlet 27 might include a one-way valve, or, it is envisaged that it is of the construction shown in FIG. 3, the inlet might be left open. In a similar manner to that involved with the operation of a pipette, the inlet of this configuration might provide an air restriction that would allow fluid to be retained in the main body of the protector even when inverted.

[0138] In this embodiment the protector may be filled with fluid before or after connection of the distal and proximal end sections to one another.

[0139] In FIG. 4, a further embodiment of the distal tip protector which may be used in accordance with the invention is shown. The distal tip protector 30 is this time made up of three longitudinal sections, a distal end section 34, and proximal end section 36, and an intermediate section 32. The sections are connected to one another by a user in a manner similar to that described by reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B by means of seals 38 and 44 associated with the distal and proximal end sections 34 and 36 respectively. The intermediate section 32 has ends which are slid over the seals associated with the distal and proximal end sections respectively to provide a fluid tight connection thereto in a manner similar to that described by reference to FIG. 2B.

[0140] When the sections 32,36 and 34 are assembled together, they provide a main body defining a continuous interior space that provides an internal cavity 33 which holds fluid in use. At the proximal end of the proximal section 36, a rupturable seal 40 is provided which is located over the open end to close the proximal end of the internal cavity 33 to define a fluid holding container. An end cap 42 is provided for protecting the seal 40.

[0141] The protector of the FIG. 4 embodiment may be filled with fluid by a user before assembling the proximal end section to the assembled distal and intermediate sections, or before assembling the distal end section to the assembled proximal and intermediate sections.

[0142] The embodiments of FIG. 2A, 2B, 3 and 4 provide the ability to more readily customise the length of the distal tip protector. For example, in the embodiments of FIG. 2A or B or FIG. 3, a user might take a standard distal end section, and connect it to a different length proximal end section or visa-versa. In FIG. 4, the length of the intermediate section 32 may be varied by interchanging the intermediate section 32 with one of different length to provide different lengths of protector. As the intermediate section 32 is, in the FIG. 4 arrangement, a simple a length of tubing, a user may readily be able to substitute tubing of a different length. For example a kit might be provided including the proximal and distal end sections in the FIG. 4 embodiment and different length intermediate sections which can be interchangeably used with the proximal and distal end sections.

[0143] The use of the distal tip protector in accordance of the embodiment of FIG. 1 will now be described by reference to FIG. 5.

[0144] The method will be described by reference to the pre-treatment of a contaminated surgical instrument 50 having a distal tip 52. The distal tip 52 includes a working portion which is connected to a shaft 54 of the instrument via a wrist 53. The working portion is the part of the surgical instrument which interacts with the body, and includes various moving parts whose surfaces may become contaminated e.g. with tissue or blood during use. The method is a method of pre-cleaning of the surgical instrument before the instrument undergoes full reprocessing step e.g. decontamination such as may include deluge cleaning, ultra-sonic cleaning, sterilisation, disinfection or any other cleaning processes, whether carried out manually or automatically to render the instrument suitable for reuse. The instrument is one which has been used in a surgical procedure. The method of pre-cleaning may be carried out in the operating theatre.

[0145] A user removes the end cap 13 from the proximal end of the main body 3 of the protector 1. This exposes the ruptureable seal 9 which closes the proximal end of the main body, and co-operates with the internal cavity 11 of the main body to hold a decontaminating fluid.

[0146] The user of the surgical instrument and pushes the distal tip 52 through the ruptureable seal 9 into the internal cavity 11, thereby bringing it into contact with the decontaminating fluid therein. Once the surgical instrument has been inserted in the protector, it will be as shown in FIG. 5. When the surgical instrument is disposed in the protector, the protector 5 serves a dual function of protecting the delicate distal tip 52 from harm, and also surrounding it by a decontaminating fluid which is able to come into contact with the surfaces thereof to provide a pre-treatment of the distal tip before it undergoes full reprocessing e.g. decontamination.

[0147] The resilient seal 9 cooperates with the shaft of the instrument 54 to grip the shaft and retain the distal tip in the protector, and also to provide a barrier to the passage of fluid out of the cavity 11 around the instrument. This enables the protector to remain attached to the instrument, and maintain fluid around the distal tip thereof, until it is removed by a user e.g. to allow the instrument to undergo decontamination. The resilient seal is formed of a material which allows it to conform to the contours of an instrument inserted therethrough in use to provide a fluid resistant seal therearound.

[0148] The distal tip protector is kept in position located over the distal end of the instrument until it undergoes reprocessing. This may be during storage or transport of the instrument e.g. from a site of use to a reprocessing facility. In this way, the working end of the instrument is kept moist by the fluid surrounding it, facilitating subsequent decontamination thereof, avoiding contaminants becoming coalesced and dried to the surfaces of the instrument.

[0149] Once a distal tip protector of the type shown in FIG. 5 has been used to pre-treat an instrument, and the instrument removed therefrom for re-processing e.g. decontamination, it is envisaged that the distal tip protector could be reused. When the protector is of the type shown in FIG. 5, the seal 9 will have been ruptured. However, as it resilient, it may conform to the contours of another instrument when subsequently located therein to retain the instrument and prevent the passage of fluid out of the proximal end of the protector. In these arrangements, the same decontaminating fluid might be reused, or more usually the chamber 11 will be refilled. This could be achieved by providing a suitable fluid inlet for the purposes of refilling, which may be as shown e.g. in FIG. 3. The same inlet might be used to provide an initial filling of the chamber if required. Alternatively, it is envisaged that fluid might be introduced into the internal cavity 11 via the ruptured seal 9 before a new instrument is inserted therein.

[0150] FIG. 6 illustrates a similar arrangement involving a use of the tip protector shown in FIG. 1 but in conjunction with a different type of surgical instrument 60.

[0151] Of course the distal tip protector may be used in conjunction with numerous types of instrument, and those shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 are merely exemplary. Where the working portions of the instrument extends further along the length of the instrument, a longer distal tip protector might be required.

[0152] In the embodiments of FIGS. 5 and 6, the instrument is inserted into the internal fluid filled cavity 3 through the ruptureable seal 9. Thus the cavity contains a fluid before the instrument is inserted therein, and before supply to a user.

[0153] As mentioned above, in other embodiments a user may fill the protector i.e. the internal cavity thereof themselves, rather than the protector being supplied in a pre-filled form. This may be achieved by filling the internal cavity via a fluid inlet where provided, for example at a distal end in a manner shown in FIG. 3. Such an inlet could be incorporated in single section distal tip protector along the lines shown in FIG. 1. The user may then locate a suitable closure means over the fluid inlet to ensure that the fluid remains in the fluid chamber during treatment of an instrument if necessary.

[0154] Operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2A is similar to that of FIG. 1. In addition, the user assembles the sections 12 and 14 to one another before use of the protector. The user will push the distal end of the proximal end section 14 over the seal 16 associated with the distal end section to obtain a distal tip protector which then may be used in the same manner as that of FIG. 1. This embodiment provides the option for the user to fill the protector themselves by supplying a fluid to the interior of the section 14 before it is closed by assembling it to the distal end section 12.

[0155] The embodiment of FIG. 3 may be used in the same manner as that of FIG. 2A and 2B. As previously described, the user must assemble the sections 22 and 24 to one another to obtain the protector before inserting an instrument therein. In this case, the user may then fill the internal space 13 defined within the main body once assembled using the fluid inlet 27 e.g. by connecting a syringe thereto. The user may or may not then locate a suitable closure over the inlet 27, depending upon the configuration of the inlet, or whether it comprises an integral closure, such as a one way valve.

[0156] The embodiment of FIG. 4 may be used in a similar manner to that of FIGS. 2A and B and FIG. 3, with the user additionally needing to assemble the sections 32 and 36 to one another, as well as connecting the sections 32 and 34. This is achieved by pushing the proximal end of the intermediate section 32 over the seal 44 associated with a proximal end section 36, as well as pushing its distal end over the seal 38 associated with the distal end section 34. In this arrangement, fluid may be introduced into the internal cavity defined by before the proximal or distal end section is assembled to the other two sections.

[0157] FIGS. 7 to 9 illustrate an alternative embodiment of a distal tip protector 70 which includes guide means for guiding the distal tip of an instrument as it is inserted into the distal tip protector. The distal tip protector may be in the form of any of the embodiments described earlier, although, for ease of reference is shown as having a single piece main body. For example, the seal and construction of the main body may be of any of the forms previously described. However, in this embodiment, the end cap 72 which protects rupturable seal 74 defines a central aperture. The end cap 72 may therefore remain in place during and after insertion of an instrument in the distal tip protector 70. The end cap will help to retain the seal in place and provide some protection of the seal, covering the radially peripheral parts thereof. It will be appreciated that an end cap of this construction may be used in any of the other embodiments described herein, even those which do not include guide means, as an alternative to an end cap that is removed before use.

[0158] FIG. 7 is an exploded view to facilitate understanding of the construction of the device, which shows how the guide means 76, which is in the form of tube having two open ends, is attached to the end cap 72 around the seal 74 so as to project proximally therefrom. FIG. 8 shows the guide means 76 as it appears in the product, attached to the end cap 72 around the central aperture of the end cap. For example, the guide means may be integrally moulded with the end cap, or provided as a separate component attached thereto. The guide means may have a length L2 in the range of from 20-30 mm, for example. The guide means has an internal diameter slightly greater than that of an instrument to be inserted. For example, the diameter may be 9 mm to accommodate an 8 mm diameter instrument. In use, the distal tip of an instrument is inserted through the guide means in order to rupture the seal, before being inserted into the main body of the protector as described in the previous embodiments. The guide means helps to prevent buckling or kinking of the distal tip as it is pushed against the seal to rupture the seal. The guide means remains in place after insertion of the instrument and during use of the distal tip protector.

[0159] FIG. 9 illustrates schematically the distal tip of an instrument 90 with which the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8, incorporating guide means, may advantageously be used. The instrument 90 has a distal tip including parts 92 and 94 which may tend to buckle about joint 96 if the tip of part 92 is pushed against a seal. The guide means may inhibit such buckling. The guide means is particularly useful in the context of protectors for use with such instruments.

[0160] Although the embodiments described use a rupturable resilient seal at the proximal end of the protector, it is envisaged that an apertured resilient seal could be used. Such a seal may still co-operate with an instrument when inserted therethrough in use to provide a suitable barrier to the passage of fluid out of the proximal end of the protector. In such arrangements, filling of the fluid holding chamber would need to occur after insertion of the medical instrument therein.

[0161] Although not shown in the illustrated Figures, heat generating means may be associated with the distal tip protector to provide heating of a fluid located in the internal cavity in use. This may enhance the effects of the fluid, particularly where it comprises enzyme containing decontaminating agents. Heat generating means may generate the heat via an exothermic reaction. Suitable components for generating heat via an exothermic reaction when mixed may be located e.g. to the exterior of a distal end of the distal tip protector, and may be activated to bring the components into contact with one another by a user. This might be via a simple manual action such as a squeezing action or similar, as used with heat packs. In other arrangements, exothermic heat generating means might be arranged to be activated when an instrument is inserted into the protector.

[0162] The distal tip protector in accordance with the invention of any of its embodiments may be of any suitable length. The total length may range from around 50 mm to 300 mm. In preferred embodiments the length of the protector is from 100 mm to 240 mm. The length of the main body of the protector is marked “L” in FIG. 1. Where the protector is formed of multiple sections that are assembled to one another, this is the combined length of the sections after assembly. The tip protector may have a diameter of e.g. 5 mm or around 10 mm or around 15 mm depending upon the type of instrument with which it is to be used. The diameter d is marked in FIG. 1.

[0163] Rather than using seals of the type shown in FIG. 2B, in those arrangements in which the distal tip protector is formed of multiple sections, these sections may simply be resiliently fitted together without a use of a specific sealing element.

[0164] The invention is particularly applicable to more complex instruments such as those used in key-hole surgery, minimally invasive procedures, laparoscopic procedures, robotic surgery, incisionless surgery or NOTES surgery, but may be applied to other types of instrument.

[0165] Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the accompanying claims.