surgical scissors

Tips for Choosing the Right Pair of Lab Scissors

Choosing the right pair of lab scissors is essential for ensuring accurate and efficient work in a laboratory setting. Here are some quick tips and information to help you select the appropriate pair of lab scissors.

General Tips for Choosing Lab Scissors

  • Fine tip scissors are ideal for use in restrictive spaces.
  • Curved tipped scissors are a good choice when you want to avoid cutting underlying tissue.
  • Scissors with a heavier construction are useful for cutting fur, thicker tissue, bone, and muscle.
  • The length of the scissor tips should match the depth of the incision you need to make.
  • When working under a microscope or bright lights, choose non-reflective instruments like black coated ceramic or titanium scissors.
  • For precise, clean cuts, choose SuperCut micro-serrated scissors.
  • When you need your scissors to last a long time, chose ones with tungsten carbide inserts.
  • For left-handed or ambidextrous use, consider choosing spring scissors instead of ring handled scissors.
  • In an MRI environment, choose non-magnetic surgical instruments like titanium, Dumoxel®, or Dumostar®.
  • If you use your instruments for prolonged periods of time, choose lightweight surgical scissors made of titanium to minimize hand fatigue.

Type of Metal Used to Manufacture Scissors

The material of lab scissors is an important consideration when selecting a pair. The most common material for surgical scissors in a laboratory is surgical grade stainless steel. These scissors are corrosion resistant, stain resistant, and durabile. Stainless steel scissors are suitable for general laboratory use, surgery, and for cutting a wide range of materials including paper, fabrics, plastics, and non-corrosive materials. Stainless steel scissors are widely used for routine tasks. German steel is considered a premium grade of stainless steel. Other popular alloys of stainless steel include the Dumont’s Inox, Dumoxel, and Dumostar. Dumoxel and Dumastar are non-magnetic, and Dumostar is 100% non-corrosive.

Titanium scissors, while more expensive, are 40% lighter than stainless steel, mitigating hand-fatigue when used for long periods of time. Titanium is strong, highly corrosion-resistant, and non-magnetic. With proper care, titanium scissors last longer than stainless steel. Titanium surgical scissors are ideal for lab environments where they are exposed to chemicals, acids, and corrosive substances, or in areas with MRI technology. They are particularly useful for tasks requiring frequent sterilization, such as in medical and biological research. Because they are non-glare, they are prized for microscopy work or work under surgical lights.

Scissor Coatings and Inserts

Some laboratory scissors have coated tips or inserts for special applications or durability. These include tungsten carbide inserts, black titanium ceramic coating, and diamond dusted tips.


The most popular modification to surgical scissors is tungsten carbide inserts. Generally, surgical instruments with tungsten carbide inserts performing the same type of work will last up
to five times longer than stainless steel instruments. WPI surgical scissors with gold handles have tungsten carbide inserts in the blades. Tungsten carbide instruments are more durable, hold an edge longer, and last longer than stainless steel instrument.

Ceramic scissors are extremely hard, sharp, and resistant to corrosion. WPI’s black surgical instruments are coated with titanium nitride (TiN), an extremely hard ceramic material. The TiN coating hardens and protects the cutting edge. Ceramic coated anti-reflective instruments are perfect for microscopy and microsurgical applications. Coating surgical instruments with a black ceramic adds a thin layer to the metal instrument, making the instrument harder and giving you greater precision. The incredibly smooth coating improves the instruments’ resistance to corrosion and minimizes friction. The ceramic coating is virtually impenetrable, because the raw material is bonded to the instrument both physically and chemically. These instruments are much more resilient to the pressure of daily use and chemical processing. Coated instruments last considerably longer. They are commonly used in applications where metal contamination must be avoided, such as in cleanroom environments.

Diamond-like carbon (DLC) is a type of amorphous carbon that has some of the same characteristics as diamonds. A thin, wear-resistant film coatings made of diamond-like carbon can protect instruments and medical devices that are subjected to high loads, intense friction, wear, and interaction with other components. WPI offers a couple pair of spring scissors with DLC coated tips.

Surgical Scissors Styles: Ring vs. Spring

Lab scissors are broadly classed as ring scissors or spring scissors. Ring scissors have ring handles and are the most common style of scissors. Spring scissors are uniquely designed for ambidextrous use. The action on these surgical scissors allows you to pinch the two blades together. The way they fit into your hand offers great visibility and incredible control. Ring scissors come in a range of sizes and shapes for a multitude of applications, while spring scissors are generally smaller and more suited to intricate work.
 

Scissor Blade Size & Shape

The heavier the construction of a pair of scissors, the greater the cutting force. Heavy blades are useful for cutting fur, thick tissue, or vessels. Finer blades with short tips are ideal for use in restricted spaces like microsurgeries. Choose blade sizes based on the scale of your work. Smaller blades are suitable for fine and intricate tasks, while larger blades are better for cutting heavier materials. The length of the scissor tips determine the depth of the incision. Shorter tips are used for shallower incisions and longer ones for deeper cuts.

Straight blades are suitable for general-purpose cutting and accurate straight-line cuts. Curved blades offer greater visibility at the surgical site and are useful for cutting underlying tissue. Blades can also be angled up or angled on the side for when you need greater flexibility.

WPI’s SuperCut scissors have one micro-serrated blade and one razor-sharp blade. These SuperCut scissors all have black handles. SuperCut micro-serrated blades grip the tissue and prevent slipping while cutting, giving you a clean cut that heals quicker.

When selecting scissors, consider the specific demands of your laboratory tasks. Factors such as the types of materials you'll be cutting, the presence of corrosive substances, the need for sterilization, and the level of precision required all play a role in determining the most appropriate scissor material for your needs. Taking the time to assess your needs and investing in quality scissors can greatly improve your efficiency and accuracy in the laboratory.


  If you have an questions, just give us a call at (866) 606-1974  or email us at [email protected].

 

See Selection of Lab Scissors