Patent ID: 8211110

Claim:
A tool for facilitating minimally invasive surgical procedures, the tool comprising: a first sleeve, the first sleeve comprising: a distal end having a distal tip, and a proximate end opposite the distal end, an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface defining a first diameter, a plurality of tabs elastically attached to the distal end of the first sleeve, a plurality of first slots in the distal end of the first sleeve separating the plurality of tabs, a mating surface on at least one of the plurality of tabs, wherein the mating surface is adapted to engage a corresponding mating surface on a housing, and at least one protrusion coupled to the inner surface proximate the distal tip and projecting radially inwardly, a second sleeve, the second sleeve comprising: a distal end having a distal tip and a proximate end opposite the distal end, an inner surface and an outer surface, the outer surface defining a second diameter less than the first diameter, at least one channel at the distal end proximate the distal tip corresponding to the at least one protrusion; wherein the at least one protrusion and the at least one channel are configured to selectively lock with one another; a connector adapted to couple the proximate end of the first sleeve with the proximate end of the second sleeve, wherein the outer surface of the second sleeve is slidingly engaged with the inner surface of the first sleeve such that the at least one protrusion proximate the distal tip of the first sleeve fits in the corresponding at least one channel proximate the distal tip of the second sleeve, wherein the second sleeve is slidably inserted in the first sleeve until the at least one protrusion fits in the corresponding at least one channel and inhibits the elasticity and rotational movement of the plurality of tabs.