Instrument sleeve strengthening device

A method for supporting an instrument shaft, comprising the steps of:

• inserting an instrument shaft into a sleeve having at least one collapsible tube and an elongated spring housed within the collapsible tube until a distal tip of the shaft protrudes beyond a foot connected to the sleeve;
• passing the tip of the shaft through the skin of a patient until the foot comes into contact with the skin of the patient or a trocar;
• and
• extending the tip of the shaft further beyond the foot and into the patient;
• wherein extending the tip of the shaft further beyond the foot compresses the elongated spring such that the spring provides support for the shaft within the sleeve.

A strengthening device for an instrument, comprising:

• a sleeve;
• a spring disposed within the sleeve;
• and
• a foot pivotally connected to a distal end of the sleeve;
• wherein the sleeve and the spring are configured to receive a shaft of an instrument therethrough.