Surgical Instrumentation

Flashcards about surgical instruments and their characteristics.

Rongeurs

Single-action and double-action types, with double-action requiring less hand strength. The Main inspection point is the jaws.

Kerrison/Laminectomy Rongeurs

Used in spine surgery, the distal portion must be inspected after each use.

Scissors test

Cut through rubber test material with the tip two to three times.

Kerrison rongeur test

Punch a clean hole through an index card.

Bone cutter test

Cut off a piece of the index card.

Laminectomy rongeurs test

Make a clean bite in an index card using half the jaw.

Bone Curette test

Shave off pieces of a plastic dowel rod.

400 Series Stainless Steel (Martensitic)

Hard, used for sharp cutting edges. Instruments include scissors, osteotomes, chisels, rongeurs, forceps, hemostatic forceps, and needle holders.

300 Series Stainless Steel (Austenitic)

Offers high corrosion resistance, more workable and malleable. Used for retractors, cannulas, rib spreaders, and suction devices.

Passivation

A chemical treatment used in the production of instruments that creates a protective corrosion-resistant surface by forming a thin clear layer of oxide.

Jaws

The working end that contacts patient tissue and organs.

Box Lock

The weakest part, most difficult to clean, where the instrument halves join.

Shanks

Provide closing force for the jaws when ratchets are engaged.

Ratchets

Control the clamping force and hold the instrument closed with interlocking teeth, difficult to clean, and must be open during sterilization.

Surgical Grade Instruments

Highest quality, reusable, often made from U.S. or German steel.

Floor Grade Instruments

Lower quality, often from Pakistan, usually single-use or limited-use.

Disposable Instruments

Single-use, marked 'single use,' should not be reprocessed.

Needle Holder Jaws

Made of stainless steel or tungsten carbide. Identified with gold on the ring handles, harder, last longer, and can be replaced.

Self-Retaining Retractors

Designed with a mechanical action to stay open. Examples include Weitlaner, Gelpi, and Beckman-Adson retractors.

Tungsten carbide blades (Surgical Scissors)

Remain sharper for longer and have gold rings.

Microgrind or supercut blades (Surgical Scissors)

Have one blade sharpened like a knife for slicing tissue and have black rings.

Double-action Rongeur test

Make a clean bite through the card.

Tape (Instrument Identification)

Instruments can be identified using this, but they must be inspected regularly.

Heat-fused nylon/ dipping

Liquid powder-coating process that leaves a colored nylon layer on the instrument.

Acid-Base Etching (Instrument Identification)

This process involves using a stencil, solutions, and electricity to mark stainless steel instruments. It's semi- permanent and can be buffed off during the instrument repair process.

Gold Finger Rings

Indicate tungsten carbide edges or inserts.

Black Finger Rings

Indicate very sharp 'supersharp' scissors.

Satin Finish

Instruments used for laser procedures due to their non-reflective nature.

Rongeurs

Single-action and double-action types, with double-action requiring less hand strength. The Main inspection point is the jaws.

Kerrison/Laminectomy Rongeurs

Used in spine surgery, the distal portion must be inspected after each use.

Scissors test

Cut through rubber test material with the tip two to three times.

Kerrison rongeur test

Punch a clean hole through an index card.

Bone cutter test

Cut off a piece of the index card.

Laminectomy rongeurs test

Make a clean bite in an index card using half the jaw.

Bone Curette test

Shave off pieces of a plastic dowel rod.

400 Series Stainless Steel (Martensitic)

Hard, used for sharp cutting edges. Instruments include scissors, osteotomes, chisels, rongeurs, forceps, hemostatic forceps, and needle holders.

300 Series Stainless Steel (Austenitic)

Offers high corrosion resistance, more workable and malleable. Used for retractors, cannulas, rib spreaders, and suction devices.

Passivation

A chemical treatment used in the production of instruments that creates a protective corrosion-resistant surface by forming a thin clear layer of oxide.

Jaws

The working end that contacts patient tissue and organs.

Box Lock

The weakest part, most difficult to clean, where the instrument halves join.

Shanks

Provide closing force for the jaws when ratchets are engaged.

Ratchets

Control the clamping force and hold the instrument closed with interlocking teeth, difficult to clean, and must be open during sterilization.

Surgical Grade Instruments

Highest quality, reusable, often made from U.S. or German steel.

Floor Grade Instruments

Lower quality, often from Pakistan, usually single-use or limited-use.

Disposable Instruments

Single-use, marked 'single use,' should not be reprocessed.

Needle Holder Jaws

Made of stainless steel or tungsten carbide. Identified with gold on the ring handles, harder, last longer, and can be replaced.

Self-Retaining Retractors

Designed with a mechanical action to stay open. Examples include Weitlaner, Gelpi, and Beckman-Adson retractors.

Tungsten carbide blades (Surgical Scissors)

Remain sharper for longer and have gold rings.

Microgrind or supercut blades (Surgical Scissors)

Have one blade sharpened like a knife for slicing tissue and have black rings.

Double-action Rongeur test

Make a clean bite through the card.

Tape (Instrument Identification)

Instruments can be identified using this, but they must be inspected regularly.

Heat-fused nylon/ dipping

Liquid powder-coating process that leaves a colored nylon layer on the instrument.

Acid-Base Etching (Instrument Identification)

This process involves using a stencil, solutions, and electricity to mark stainless steel instruments. It's semi- permanent and can be buffed off during the instrument repair process.

Gold Finger Rings

Indicate tungsten carbide edges or inserts.

Black Finger Rings

Indicate very sharp 'supersharp' scissors.

Satin Finish

Instruments used for laser procedures due to their non-reflective nature.

Joint of Surgical Instruments

A critical area of surgical instruments, especially at the box lock, which requires thorough cleaning and inspection to prevent corrosion and ensure proper function.