A method for providing a temperature sensitive element surrounding a surgical instrument to provide a visual indication of tip temperature to an operator of the instrument. Change in color of the element is an indication to the operator to be aware of the generated heat and reduce power to the instrument accordingly. When the tip of a surgical instrument heats up to a certain threshold that would cause harm, a reversible thermochromic property of the element may change colors in direct relation to the rise and fall of temperature.
