SUCTION Tubes

A suction tube is a medical device which provides suction by being attached to a suction machine. Suction can be used to clear liquids and slurries away from an area of concern, and it is utilized in many different aspects of medical care. Suction devices are commonly found on ambulances, in hospital rooms, in emergency rooms, and in clinics, with attachable tubing and tips for various applications. Like other medical devices, the suction machine is designed with replaceable tubing and tips which can be changed between patients to limit the spread of disease.

One classic use of suction is in dentistry. While dental work is being performed, someone's mouth can fill with blood and saliva. This poses a risk to the patient, as it may occlude the airway, and it also makes it hard for the dentist to see and work. The suction tube is used to periodically clear the mouth, essentially vacuuming up the excess liquid to clear the area. It can be used by the dentist or by an assistant who provides suction by request or when needed.

n surgery, suction tubes are also used to clear the surgical field. Blood can fill the field, making it difficult for the surgeon to see and complicating the field. Other fluids like mucus and pus can also impede clear vision of the surgical site. In liposuction procedures, a specialized suction tube is used to pull fat cells out of the body, and the suction tube is also used in neurosurgery, where it removes excess liquid and relieves pressure on the skull.

Suction can also be used in the care of patients who are spending time in the hospital for respiratory conditions. Many of these patients require airway suctioning to remove mucus. The suction tube will increase patient comfort, reduce the risk of complications such as pneumonia, and keep the lungs clear so that the patient can breathe. Suctioning is also used when a patient is near death to reduce the sound of the distinctive “death rattle,” as this sound can be disconcerting for family members.

The tips on a suction tube can be changed for different applications. Bent and straight tips are available, along with tips of various widths and designs. Some are made from metal, designed for sterilization and reuse, while others are made from plastics, in which case they are disposable and discarded after use so that organisms are not passed between patients.

BANDAGE Scissor

Lister Bandage Scissor

    Bandage scissors are often found in first aid kits and in a variety of medical facilities. They are usually made of metal, typically stainless steel, and they often have serrated blades and an angled tip that is blunt at the edges. These scissors have numerous uses that can make them valuable. 

The three mains uses of bandage scissors are to trim bandages to custom size, to cut through clothing or gauze, and to help remove bandages that someone is wearing. For this last purpose, the angled blades are extremely important, since they angle away from anything beneath the cutting surface. They help keep the scissors away from the skin so that injury doesn’t occur. The blunt tips also help, since there is less likelihood of piercing the skin, as might occur if sharp tipped scissors were used instead. 

Numerous first aid needs may require people to cut rolls of gauze. Gauze can be a little challenging to cut and the serrated blade of bandage scissors is helpful. It grabs the fabric and keeps the scissors in place for more even cutting without any slipping.

Though bandages come in a variety of sizes, and first aid kits may have several sizes available, they still may not be appropriate for the size of an injury or an injury located in a difficult place to bandage. It’s often necessary to trim band-aids or bandages to fit in odd locations, and people with sensitive skin may have a tough time with adhesive bandages. Trimming extra adhesive that is unnecessary to keep a bandage in place can be a good use for bandage scissors.

People may wonder if it’s really necessary to have bandage scissors when they have other scissors available, like manicuring scissors. Certainly, in a pinch, sterilized manicuring scissors can be used in place of medical scissors, but they won’t work as well since they lack serration. Moreover, many manicuring scissors do have pointed tips and great care must be taken if they’re use to remove bandages. Since bandage scissors truly are designed for medical purposes, it really is worth owing a pair, and keeping them in a nearby first aid kit. It’s better to have a few pairs: one for the home, one for any emergency kit, and one for a first aid kit in a car. 

These scissors are usually not very expensive, and a set may be included in a purchased first aid kit. Some care does need to be taken once the scissors have been used. When either removing bandages or trimming bandages or gauze, the scissors should be cleaned first (when possible) to avoid infection. Dousing them in rubbing alcohol helps provide quick cleaning, though they are considered clean but not sterile when this method is used. If alcohol is unavailable, most waterless handwash types contain a high amount of alcohol and can help clean off the scissors prior to use. Consider keeping some waterless handwash or some sealed medical cleaning wipes on hand for emergency use to clean medical equipment or to clean cuts.

PERCUSSION Hammers

     Percussion hammers, also called mallets, are used to strike various percussion instruments. The two basic styles of percussion hammers are unwrapped and wrapped. Each of the two styles comes in different varieties that are generally suited to play particular instruments. 

The unwrapped types of percussion hammers have heads made of hard, often heavy, material and shafts made of either birch wood or rattan. Most commonly, the head is made of brass, rubber, or nylon. It can also be made of wood or acrylic. A rattan shaft is more flexible than a birch shaft, and the preference for either usually depends upon the musician’s playing style. For instance, if a musician generally uses four mallets when playing, he or she might prefer a more flexible handle and will therefore choose a mallet with a rattan shaft. 

Typically, musicians use unwrapped percussion hammers when they want a sharper contact sound on their instrument. The contact sound is the actual sound of the mallet striking the instrument. Heavier mallets heads, such as brass or rubber, will produce a more distinct contact sound, whereas the lighter materials such as nylon or wood will do the opposite. These hammers are ideally suited for instruments such as the xylophone or the orchestra bells, which are designed to have clear, crisp tones. 

Wrapped percussion hammers are designed to elicit a softer, more muted sound. These mallets also have shafts commonly made of rattan or birch wood but have heads that are entwined in soft, cushioned material. Most often, the head itself is made of a soft rubber or a plastic and fiberglass blend called kelon. The head is then typically covered in yarn or cord, yarn being the softer of the two choices. 

The spongy covering of the wrapped percussion hammers dulls the contact sound, an effect that musicians might desire for instruments such as the vibraphone, the marimba, and the steel drum. The wrapped hammers that have heads made of covered rubber tend to be heavier than the kelon types. Unlike the unwrapped version, however, the extra weight will not increase the contact sound but will instead result in greater volume. 

Another type of percussion hammer not as commonly recognized as the wrapped and unwrapped mallets is the percussion chime hammer. As its name suggests, this accessory is designed specifically to sound chimes. Its head, generally made of hard rubber or resin, very much resembles a typical mallet used for construction purposes. The shaft is typically made of wood, although some have handles made of heavy plastic or aluminum. It comes in varying sizes designed to strike chimes of different sizes and thicknesses. 

Drumsticks, because of their design, don’t technically fall into the mallet family even though they are intended to play percussion instruments such as drums and cymbals. Some musicians, however, still classify them as percussion hammers, and consequently, they bear mentioning. Generally, drumsticks are made of hard, fairly inflexible wood such as hickory or oak. Unlike other percussion hammers, the tip is actually part of the shaft, narrowed to a point. It is sometimes covered in a thin sheet of plastic or acrylic to give it a softer strike that is not so punishing to the drumhead.

DILATORS

      A dilator is an instrument which is designed to widen an opening in the body. There are a number of different settings in which dilators may be used, ranging from surgeries to the treatment of gynecological conditions. Dilators are classically sold through medical supply companies, and they come in a range of sizes and designs for different applications.

In surgery, dilators are sometimes used to enlarge openings to gain access. Cervical dilators, for example, are placed in the cervix to encourage it to expand for the purpose of accessing the uterus. Dilators are also used to widen the ureter, esophagus, and various blood vessels for different types of procedures. In this case, the dilator is used temporarily during the surgery, to prep a site for surgery, or to hold an opening so that a permanent device such as a stent can be inserted.

Ballon catheters are commonly used as dilators, because they can be inserted in a deflated state and gently inflated to the desired level. Dilation can also be accomplished with specialty tubing and surgical instruments. The method used depends on the preferences of the doctor, and the situation in which the dilator is being used. In all cases, the goal is to avoid causing damage to the area involved with the dilator while still getting clear access to complete a procedure.

The term “dilators” is often assumed to mean “vaginal dilators.” Vaginal dilators are medical instruments which are used to address various gynecological conditions. They can be used to enlarge the vagina, as may be done after reconstructive surgery in which a vagina is made, because the opening created by the surgery may not be large enough. They can also be used by patients who are attempting to manage vaginismus, narrow vaginal openings, and similar gynecological problems. These devices are prescribed by a gynecologist, after an examination of the vagina and a discussion with the patient about the goals of treatment.

In the case of vaginal dilators, the dilators are designed to be used at home as part of a home care regimen. They come in a series of graduated sizes, with the patient gradually working up to the largest dilator. Typically, the dilators are lubricated, inserted, and held in place to encourage the tissue to stretch. It can take months of regular dilation sessions to achieve the desired goal of dilation, and the process requires a great deal of patience.

ALLIS Tissue Forcep

Allis Tissue Forcep

Forceps are hinged, handheld medical instruments used to grasp or hold objects. Using the principle of levers, forceps can seize an object and apply pressure. Allis forceps have inward-curving blades and a ratcheted handle. This design makes it ideal to grab fascia and tendons.

Fascia is a sheet or band of connective tissue, or fibrous tissue, which surrounds the organs, blood vessels, muscles, bones and nerves. It is an uninterrupted web to maintain structure, provide support and act as a shock absorber. The fascia is also the body’s second line of defense against infection.

A tendon is another type of fibrous connective tissue. Its main purpose is to connect the muscle to the bones. This connection allows for the muscles and the tendons to work together to exert a force so the body can move.

Allis forceps come in variety of shapes and sizes. There are even one-piece and modular styles available. The shape, size and type of blade depends on the nature of the medical procedure. Most Allis forceps are made of high-grade steel that can withstand repeat sterilization techniques for multiple uses.

Allis forceps come in sizes typically ranging from delicate, or just over five inches (12.7 cm), to ten inches (25.4 cm). The size of the blades and teeth can also vary. This variation in sizes allows the Allis forceps to be used in a many different surgical procedures.

There are two types of forceps. Non-locking forceps can come with a hinge at one end, similar to a pair or tweezers, or hinged in the middle, similar to a pair of scissors. Locking forceps can be hinged in the middle or close to the grasping end. These forceps are used when the surface to be grasped needs to be locked into position.

Allis forceps are typically designed with serrated jaws or blades. These non-traumatic teeth-like structures allow the tissue to be firmly held without damage. It also allows for the tissueto be retracted, or moved. Retraction of the fascia is often necessary when attempting surgical procedures on the internal organs. It allows for an unobstructed view, and permits clear access to the underlying structures.

Allis forceps give surgeons the freedom to access internal organs and structures with minimal damage to the overlying tissues. These forceps can grasp, hold, move or lock atissue into a specific position so the surgeon can concentrate on the area requiring the surgical procedure. The locking and non-locking options give surgeons more options and flexibility.

SPONGE Forceps

Sponge forceps, also known as sponge holding forceps, are used for holding swabs or sponges in medical procedures. Normally, they are constructed in a scissor shape, with ratcheted handles and looped, smooth or serrated jaws. A sponge forceps may be curved or straight depending on its specific purpose.

Typically, sponge holding forceps are seven to nine inches (about 18 to 23 centimeters) in length. The jaws themselves are normally rounded. Elongated tips may be included for delicate operations. Medical sponge forceps allow minor surgical operations to be performed without excessive trauma or damage.

Many doctors prefer to use these forceps because they help minimize damage during surgery. Sponge forceps enable a physician to hold and move tissue very precisely and gently. They are also helpful in preventing trauma.

The most common medical area to utilize sponge forceps is gynecology. They are often used in surgical female sterilization procedures, such as the insertion of an intrauterine device. In such cases, curved forceps are generally recommended. During an abortion, they may be used in holding the cervix and uterus in place, as well as for cervical inspections and tissue removal following the operation.

Non-surgical procedures can also require a sponge holding forceps. During an examination, a doctor may use them to hold back the cervix or bladder. Sponge forceps can be used as a clamp to stop bleeding, as well as a divider to separate membranes that are stuck together. Vaginal tears and cervical examinations can also be aided by sponge forceps during a postpartum checkup.

A medical process called a Vaginal Uterine Artery Ligation may also require sponge forceps. This measure is used to help lower the risk of hysterectomy following a birth. It also aids in preventing blood loss. Sponge forceps can additionally be used in applying onlay grafts for inguinal hernia repairs, as well as in removing polyps.

The use of sponge holding forceps is not limited to gynecology. They can also be useful in holding cotton balls during colposcopy procedures. They may be used to treat abrasions as tonsil wipes. Grasping gauzes, sponges, and other sensitive materials is another of their many uses.

Surgeons can use these forceps during lung surgeries such as bullectomies. Their blunt tips enable surgeons to both hold and collapse the lungs, as well as to gently move lung tissue in order to fully investigate the area. In such operations, they are considered standard thoracic instruments.

Bayonet Forceps

Bayonet Forcep

Forceps are the medical version of a pair of tongs or tweezers — a long grasping tool used to hold things when hands are either too big or too busy to do the job. Bayonet forceps resemble tweezers and are primarily used in surgeries to gently part or lift tissue. They may also be used to remove sterile wound dressings. Forceps with bayonet blades are available in different styles and sizes, and the price range varies depending on the materials and quality of the tool.

All bayonet forceps are made with two slightly parted, elongated, blunt-edged blades. The blades have a slight L-shaped bend at the top before they join into a solid handle. Slight pressure at the top of the blades will pinch the two blades together; releasing the pressure will allow the blades to fall back into their natural, parted position. The handle of the forceps is often weighted to counterbalance the weight of the blades.

Scalpel

A scalpel is a thin, small, very sharp knife. Scalpels are famously used in surgery, but there are also versions for crafts. Medical supply companies sell surgical scalpels, although some restrict their sale to physicians only, while craft scalpels can be obtained in any good craft store. This icon of the surgical trade is a tremendously useful tool inside and outside the operating room, and a basic craft scalpel can be a very handy thing to keep around the house for various projects.

There are two parts to the scalpel: a handle and a blade. The handle is reusable, and in the case of a surgical scalpel, designed to undergo sterilization. The blade, which can be removed, is disposable. With a surgical scalpel, the blade is changed between patients, both to reduce the risk of transmitting disease, and to ensure that the blade is as sharp as possible for each new patient. With craft scalpels, the blade is replaced when it starts to dull and become less effective.

Needle Holder

            A medical needle holder is a hand-held instrument used by a surgeon when suturing wounds closed. This piece of surgical equipment is used to pass the suture needle through the tissue of the wound being stitched. It is a reusable surgical instrument that can be sterilized many times prior to being used on a new patient.

Many needle holders have a handle that is similar to a scissor or forceps handle. Two loops form the top of the instrument. The thumb is inserted into one side, and the forefinger is inserted into the other side. A clamp opens when the fingers spread apart, and closes as the fingers move closer together.

Some needle holders have a groove etched into the jaws of the clamp. This ensures the needle is correctly oriented at all times. The unusual handle on this particular needle holder is held in the palm of the hand, and gripping the handle tighter causes the jaws to clamp down on the needle.

Another version of the needle holder features a spring within the device that adds tension to the jaws of the clamp. The spring enables many different size needles to be used with a single holder. This type of needle holder may be used to maneuver suture thread as well as the suture needle.

Surgical Suture Needles

                 A suture needle is a needle used in medical procedures. It is similar to a sewing needle, although it is much stronger, sterile, and designed specifically to pierce through flesh. There are many types of suture needles, but most share some common characteristics. The type of needle that a doctor uses is determined by the procedure that the patient is having.

All suture needles are strong and extremely sharp. They are made from tempered surgical steel to ensure strength and durability, as well as to resist corrosion. Many suture needles are steel gray in color, but they can be black to help prevent glare during surgical procedures. The diameter of the needle varies in size depending on the area in which it will be used and the kind of tissue it will be repairing. This type of needle also has two distinct ends.

One end of the needle is drilled with an eye. This is the area that holds the suture thread during a procedure. The eye portion of the needle is required to be smooth and free of any ridges. Smoothness ensures that the surgical thread slides easily through the needle. A smooth eye also prevents tissue tearing and thread breakage during an operation.

The largest area of a suture needle, or body, may be serrated, meaning that it has small, sharp projections. Serration allows the needle to easily slide through the tissue. It also allows the doctor to have a firmer, more powerful grip on the needle. Some suture needles are covered with a silicon substance for an even smoother entrance capability; however, this is a relatively new process.

The end opposite of the eye on a suture needle is extremely sharp, but its point style may vary. The type of surgery in which the needle will be used determines what kind of point it must have. Suture needle points may fall into three categories: penetrating needles, cutting needles and blunt needles.

The tapered suture needle is a penetrating needle that has an extremely sharp tapered point and easily cuts through tissue. The conventional suture needle has three sharp sides and is mostly used to repair torn tissue; it is also a penetrating needle. The reverse cutting suture needle and the tapered cutting suture needle are designed to penetrate deep wounds located in thick fleshy areas, while the blunt needle is used to remove and dissect tissue.