Special Features Of Dissecting Instruments

Dissecting instruments come in a variety of patterns, types, shapes, and sizes. Choosing the correct one for your application will improve outcome and reduce the frustration of trying to use an inappropriate tool.

• Ceramic contains no metal, therefore, the forceps will not leave any trace metal residue on tissue. This is especially useful in forensic science research.
• Ceramic is not electrically conductive so it can be used for handling gels in an electrophoresis bath.
• Ceramic's corrosion resistance allows its use in highly corrosive solutions. For example it could be used to clean quartz cover glass or lithographic produced chip sensors in an acid solution without damaging the forceps.
• Ceramic's low heat conductivity and high heat resistance allow it to hold parts in a flame for sterilizing or fabricating. Although the flame with eventually reduce the strength of the ceramic tip, it will be minimal.

There are scissors that have the option of one edge being micro serrated, and the other edge having the sharpness of a knife-edge. This option is provided in a number of scissor types and models. WPI designates this option with a black handle.

SuperCut Tungsten Carbide Scissors combine the precise cutting action of the razor-sharp SuperCut blades with the durability of Tungsten Carbide. They provide a clean, smooth cut and retain their sharpness for an extended period of time.

Ceramic Scissors have many advantages they are non-corrosive, will cause no metal contamination, and will not stick to PSA.

All needles have Spring Eye that allows the suture to be pressed into the eye instead of threaded. Taper point needles pierce and spread tissue without cutting it. They are ideal for suturing delicate, soft tissue when minimal trauma is desired. Cutting edge needles have sharp edges that penetrate easily through tough tissue. They are ideal for suturing skin and dense dermal tissue.

Single crystal sapphire (Al2O3), while not as hard as diamond, is still hundreds of times harder than steel razor blades. The durability of the blade guarantees a unique operational life that exceeds one hundred incisions. The clear blade increases view of tissue and is chemically inert to lymph, blood, and disinfectant solutions.

Both the stainless steel and titanium handles feature safety locks to protect the super sharp cutting edge from damage and prevent injuries to medical personnel. In addition the blade and handle can be sterilized using any currently known procedure.

The super sharp cutting edge, mirror surface finish, and low friction coefficient combine to create an accurate, clean cut with minimal tissue trauma. Scarring is thus reduced and incisions heal quickly.

The Harris Uni-Core punch consists of a razor sharp stainless steel cutting tip designed to cut, retrieve and store cored samples from source materials such as paper, gels, cloth, leaves, paint chips, films, tissue or other thin or soft substrates in one operation. Each Harris Uni-Core is individually pouched and ethylene oxide sterilized. The Uni-Core is a limited reusable, disposable sampling tool. It may be disposed of after use or autoclaved at 20 minutes at 250oF and 15 p.s.i. for reuse.

Achieve hemostasis of bone by applying a small amount of sterile bone wax. The wax is a combination of beeswax, isopropyl palmitate, and mineral oil that stops bleeding at the site.

Handheld disposable cauteries are capable of providing pinpoint hemostasis. Available in high and low temperature, disposable and reusable, and with a variety of tips, these units will provide a quick and economical method of cauterizing.

If electrosurgery is required, our high performance generator is ideal for use in the research lab. The five separate output modes, which allow cutting, blended cutting, coagulating, fulgurating, and bipolar, make this electrosurgical generator suitable for all types of surgical procedures and with safety, flexibility, reliability, and convenience.

• GE's ULTEM® resin ensures product strength, structural integrity and extended life cycle.
• See-through lids make it easy to locate the right instrument.
• Suitable for all methods of sterilization (auto- clave, steam, dry heat and chemical).
• Unique 'grid' design in base makes it easy to install the silicone finger mat required to protect the delicate instruments. 

Care & Handling of Dissecting & Surgical Instruments

The proper care and handling of your valuable surgical instruments will improve their longevity and function. Choose a protocol appropriate for your environment from the cleaning techniques below.

Immediately after use, rinse instruments under warm or cool running water to remove all blood, body fluids and tissue. Dried soils may damage the instrument surface and make cleaning very difficult. Do not use hot water as this will coagulate proteinous substances.

• Time — the efficiency of cleaning chemicals is often time dependant.
• Temperature — higher temperature cleaning solutions result in better cleaning.
• Agitation — whether manual or ultrasonic, it is helpful in loosening the soil on the surface of the instrument

• Mix enzymatic (Enzol — WPI part number 7363), or other neutral pH or mild alkaline detergent (Alconox — WPI part number 13740) per manufacturer recommendations.
• Use deionized water, if available.
• Run ultrasonic cleaner for several minutes to degas the solution and obtain correct temperature.
• Place instruments in open position into the ultrasonic cleaner. Do not allow instruments with sharp blades to touch other instruments. All instruments must be fully submerged.
• Do not place dissimilar metals (stainless, copper, chrome plated, etc.) in the same cleaning cycle.
• Instruments should be processed in the cleaner for 5 to 10 minutes.
• Rinse instruments with water to remove ultrasonic cleaning solution and any remaining soils.
• Dry instruments thoroughly with a clean towel. This minimizes the risk of corrosion and formation of water spots.
• Use spray lubricant (WPI order number 500126) in the hinges to improve function of instrument.
• Use stiff plastic cleaning brushes. Do not use steel wool or wire brushes.
• Use only neutral pH detergents. If not rinsed properly, low pH detergents may breakdown the stainless protective surface and cause black staining. High pH detergents may cause surface deposits of brown stains, which can interfere with the smooth operation of the instrument.
• Brush delicate instruments carefully and, if possible, handle them separately from general instruments.
• Inspect all instrument surfaces to ensure they are visibly clean and free of stains and tissue.
• Inspect each instrument for proper function and condition. Scissor blades should glide smoothly and the blades must not be loose when in closed position. Check that forceps tips are properly aligned. Hemostats and needle holders should not show light between the jaws, they should lock and unlock easily, and the joints should not be too loose. Check needle holder jaws for wear. Examine cutting instruments and knives to be sure their blades are sharp and undamaged.
• Rinse instruments thoroughly under running water. While rinsing, open and close scissors, hemostats, needle holders and other hinged instruments to ensure that hinge areas are also rinsed.
• Dry instruments thoroughly with a clean towel. This minimizes the risk of corrosion and formation of water spots. Use spray lubricant (WPI order number 500126) in the hinges to improve function of instrument.

1. Lubricate all instruments that have any metal-to-metal action such as scissors, hemostats, needle holders, self retaining retractors, etc. Surgical instrument lubricants (WPI order number 500126) should be used. Do not use WD-40 oil or other industrial lubricants.
2. Instruments may be autoclaved individually or in sets.
   a. Individual instruments—Disposable paper or plastic pouches are ideal. Use a wide enough pouch (4" or wider) for instruments with ratchet locks (such as needle holders and hemostats) so the instrument can be sterilized in an open (unlocked) position.
   b. Instrument Sets—Unlock all instruments and sterilize them in an open position. Place heavy instruments on bottom of set (when two layers are required).
3. Never lock an instrument during autoclaving. This will prevent the steam from reaching and sterilizing the metal-to-metal surfaces. Furthermore, heat expansion during autoclaving can cause cracks in hinge areas.
4. Do not overload the autoclave chamber, as this may also hinder steam penetration.
5. Place a towel on bottom of pan to absorb excess moisture during autoclaving.
6. At the end of the autoclave cycle (before the drying cycle) unlock autoclave door and open it no more than a crack (about 3/4"). Run dry cycle for the period recommended by the autoclave manufacturer. If the autoclave door is
7. opened fully before the drying cycle, cold room air will rush into the chamber, causing condensation on the instruments. This will result in water stains on instruments and also cause wet packs.

Most cold sterilization solutions require a 10-hour immersion to render instruments sterile, but this prolonged chemical action may be more detrimental to surgical instruments than the 20-minute autoclave cycle. If the instruments need only to be disinfected (basically clean), cold sterilization is acceptable since disinfection will take place in only 10 minutes. But to render the instruments sterile (with absolutely no living organism surviving), autoclaving is recommended. For instruments with tungsten carbide inserts (needle holders, scissors, tissue forceps), do not use solutions containing benzyl ammonium chloride which will destroy the tungsten carbide inserts.