6 Medical Devices Used By Surgeons

Print

Medical technology has advanced tremendously in the past several decades. With the advent of computerization, many of the tools that surgeons used in the operating room have now been given a whole new layer of efficiency, accuracy and safety. The following six medical devices are essential tools that today’s surgeons employ in their efforts to save patient lives. While some of these devices employ the latest, state of the art medical technology, some are still fairly basic. All of them, however, play a crucial role in the operating room.

1. LCD Monitor

Used in entertainment systems in the past, the LCD monitor has become one of the standard pieces of medical equipment in many of today’s best hospitals. LCD screens allow surgeons to view high resolution images of the surgical procedures as they happen. Images can also be moved around the screen for the doctors’ convenience. The versatility of LCD displays also makes it easier to review the surgery.

2. Surgical Shadow-less Lamp

Visibility is one of the most important things a surgeon needs to have in the operating room. He or she must be able to see exactly what is going on, as even small mistakes could result in serious and possibly fatal problems. The shadow-less surgical lamp is one of the medical devices that help with this problem. It essentially provides a homogenous source of light that shines from above the operating table while at the same time producing no shadows that might diminish the surgeon’s vision.

3. Low Temperature Plasma Sterilizer

Though it might resemble a high-tech refrigerator, the low temperature plasma sterilizer is much more advanced than any fridge on the market. The low temperature plasma sterilizer is used in the operating room to sterilize the doctor’s instruments, which is, as you might guess, an incredibly crucial job. The device utilizes gas plasma, also called ionized gas, in order to rid medical instruments from potentially dangerous bacteria. The method is important, as it allows for the sterilization of objects that are heat-sensitive and require temperatures under 50 degrees Celsius. The gases released by the low temperature plasma sterilizer are safe for humans.

4. Electrical Sputum Suction Device

The electrical sputum suction device is one of the oldest medical devices used by surgeons, but despite its basic design, it performs a crucial job, and it is definitely one of the most essential tools during surgeries. The suction device allows nurses and doctors to remove sputum (e.g. phlegm, mucus and other thick bodily secretions) that would otherwise obstruct a successful surgical procedure. Modern electrical sputum suction devices employ oil-free lubricating pumps, which help curb oil mist pollution.

5. Vital Signs Monitor

The vital signs monitor, or patient monitor, is a highly complex medical device that makes use of multiple systems and pieces of medical equipment. If you’ve seen any medical drama or if you’ve ever been to a hospital, you’ve probably seen one of these. It’s a multi-screen, multi-cabled contraption to which the patient is hooked up during surgery, via a set of electrodes that monitor the patient’s vital signs. This medical device lets doctors and nurses keep continuous track of a patient’s state during and after the surgery, alerting them to any changes that occur or might occur.

6. The Scalpel

Lastly, the instrument we have all heard about, the scalpel. The scalpel is one of the oldest surgical devices. Ancient Egyptians conducted embalming procedures using scalpels of sharp obsidian, which believe it or not are occasionally still used in today’s operating room, especially in those instances where steel blades are not an option. Despite the fact that the scalpel is a fairly simple medical tool, it has undergone some development in recent years. Most modern scalpels are made of tempered steel. Medical blades are usually made with 440C stainless steel or high carbon steel. But alternatives to the bladed scalpel are now becoming more common. The laser scalpel is one of the latest developments. Some of the benefits they present are the fact that they allow for incredible precision and also cauterize blood cells immediately, which helps prevent blood loss. Laser scalpels are used especially during eye surgery, brain surgery and vascular surgical procedures.