SCI-MEDICINE

In the medical industry forceps come in quite a variety of sizes and shapes. The basic use of forceps is as an instrument to hold onto things during surgery and other medical procedures. They are small hand held tools that come in locking and non locking varieties.

Usually higher grade surgical forceps are made with carbon steel. This allows the tools to be heated up to a proper temperature so that it can be sterilized adequately. A few varieties come in a cheaper grade of steel when they are to be used in a non surgical environment. There are also plastic varieties. These instruments are meant to be used and then disposed of.
The most common variety is the thumb forceps that one often sees a nurse of doctor use. These varieties don’t lock and are often used when closing up a wound. The medical professional will use this to move wraps and tissues so that they don’t risk the integrity of the wound by using their hands.

Clamps, also known as locking forceps, are often used to pinch off an artery so that the patient will not bled out. Another variety of locking clamp is the needle holder. This instrument is used to hold onto the needle that is used to suture an open wound.

Kelly forceps are a type of medical instrument that walks the line between the two above styles. It has a locking mechanism, but it isn’t necessary to use it for every activity. These look like a regular pair of scissors, but it has a blunted end so that it can be used to grasp items.
Nurses, like anyone, like to feel a bit of individuality. They have gotten tired of the same old forceps. Luckily these instruments have started to come to the market in many designer colors and styles. Now nurses can express their personalities while maintaining the strictest of medical standards.