Dynamically retractable stiffeners for surgical tools

A surgical tool, the surgical tool comprising:

• a surgical tool body comprising a proximal end and a distal end;
• a needle extending from the distal end of the surgical tool body configured to access a surgical area within a body of a patient;
• and
• a telescopic stiffening sleeve extending from the distal end of the surgical tool body and surrounding at least a portion of the needle for stabilizing the needle during a surgical procedure, the telescopic stiffening sleeve comprising at least a first segment and a second segment;
• and
• a biasing mechanism disposed within the surgical tool body and extending within the telescopic stiffening sleeve, wherein:
• the biasing mechanism is configured to provide a distal biasing force against the telescopic stiffening sleeve,
• when external proximal forces on the telescopic stiffening sleeve are less than the distal biasing force, the telescopic stiffening sleeve is fully extended,
• when external proximal forces on the telescopic stiffening sleeve are greater than the distal biasing force, the telescopic stiffening sleeve is retracted proximally towards the surgical tool body, and
• the first segment is configured to at least partially nest within the second segment as the telescopic stiffening sleeve is retracted proximally.