Instrument tip protector

A tip protector device for an instrument, the instrument comprising an elongate shaft having a distal tip and said tip including an end face, and the tip protector device comprising:

• a guard portion configured to engage with said tip, the guard portion including an elongate tubular portion configured to extend along said shaft, the tubular portion extending between first and second ends, and a cap configured to extend over said end face, the cap being connected to the first end of the tubular portion;
• a first connection member including a first gripping member and a second connection member including a second gripping member, the first and second connection members extending from the second end of the tubular portion in a direction away from the first end of the tubular portion, and the first and second connection members movable relative to each other between a first, disengaged position in which the guard portion is configured to permit insertion and removal of said tip of the instrument, and a second, gripping position in which the gripping members are configured to grip the shaft of the instrument, the first and second connection members being biased in the first position;
• and
• complementary engagement features on each of the first and second connection members configured to engage and releasably retain the first and second connection members in the gripping position,
• wherein the cap is connected to the first end of the tubular portion by at least one flexible connecting member.