Whether you are a physician or a healthcare provider, you need to be familiar with the proper use of surgical instruments. Our guide can provide you with the basic information you need to ensure you are performing safe procedures. The guide will also tell you about cleaning and lubrication. You will also learn about the disposal of coagulation residue.
Actively flexible
A flexible entry guide can provide support for endoscopic robotic surgical instruments. An entry guide may be steered towards a surgical site by a series of actuators and steering tools. These tools may be actively steered or passively steered.
During surgery, the steerable tip portions of the tools may extend out of the entry guide’s lumens. The flexible tips of these tools may steer to the left, right or in unison. In addition, the distal tip of the entry guide may have a camera that provides imaging. It may also have channels for irrigation and suction.
Entry guides are typically composed of two to four lumens. Each of the lumens may have internal ridges along its length to allow the tools to fit inside the entry guide. If the entry guide is rigid, it may lock in place near the surgical site. This allows the flexible shaft of the tools to reach the surgical site.
Surgical tools may be snap-fitted into sockets. They can be inserted through the individual channels of the guide in either parallel or serial sequences. At the end of the procedure, the tools are removed from the lumens and replaced by new instruments.
As an alternative, the proximal and distal ends of the guide may be coupled together and locked in position. Alternatively, the guide can be inserted through an opening in the body. When the insertion is completed, the guide may be removed from the patient. Depending on the invention, the instrument assembly may be actively steered during insertion to reach a desired surgical site or it may be passively steered until the appropriate time to remove it.
A specialized steering device is inserted into the lumen of the entry guide and shapes the guide tube as it is inserted toward the surgical site. The resulting shape can be adapted to the entry guide’s cross-sectional area. Another specialized steering device may be positioned to lock the entry guide to the wall of the lumen at an intermediate position.
Other locking means include mechanically expandable cams, inflatable bladders, and cables. For a more robust locking mechanism, a rigid stiffening device may be incorporated into the lumen.
Cleaning
Surgical instruments require proper care to ensure a long life and optimal performance. Whether you have just purchased new or used medical instruments, this guide will tell you what you need to know about the best practices for cleaning and sanitizing them.
Surgical instruments are incredibly fragile, and a mistake in the use of these items can lead to delays and frustration in the operating room (OR). The following tips will help you make sure you’re doing everything you can to keep your devices in working order.
Identify the manufacturer’s recommended cleaning process, and be sure to follow it exactly. Manufacturer’s recommendations are important because they can ensure a more consistent cleaning and sterilization process. Also, be aware of the cleaning verification program in your hospital. Many hospitals use this method to ensure that all their instruments are clean, and that the cleaning processes are performed correctly.
In general, surgical instruments need to be cleaned before they are sterilized. This step removes body fluids and soil from the handpiece. These fluids can contaminate the inner surface of the handpiece, as well as the next patient. Using a saline solution can also break down the instrument’s surface, making it susceptible to corrosion.
Ultrasonic cleaning can remove small particles and debris from hard-to-reach parts of the instrument. Specifically, this method works by harnessing sound waves to create micron-scale bubbles in a cleaning solution. These bubbles then implode with force to loosen debris and grime.
Performing a thorough cleaning and rinsing is essential to ensuring that all reusable surgical equipment is ready to be reused. Surgical instruments that are not disinfected correctly can be contaminated with blood and other body fluids, which could contaminate the next patient. Additionally, bacteria may be able to survive a sterilization process.
Manual and ultrasonic cleaning techniques are recommended for more complex and delicate devices. They are typically followed by high-level disinfection, which will rid the device of all viable microorganisms.
However, these steps should not be performed on every device. Rather, they should be performed on devices that are less likely to suffer from degradation.
Lubrication
Lubrication of surgical instruments is essential for preserving performance and reducing the risk of infections during surgery. It is important to use a lubricant that is water soluble and suited for steam sterilization. In addition, it is imperative to follow manufacturer instructions.
Several lubricant solutions are available to meet the varying needs of surgical instrument manufacturers. Some are ready-to-use and can be applied directly to the surface of the instrument. Others may be applied by spraying or dipping the instrument in a solution.
The lubricating composition is a substantially surfactant-free blend of glycerin and polyethylene glycol. It may be obtained as a byproduct from the manufacture of epichlorohydrin, or from other sources.
The lubricating composition has a tan or brown color. Depending on the specific product, the composition may be either opaque or clear.
The composition may be diluted with a diluent such as commercial milk bath or a sterilization bath. The dilution ratio should be determined according to the composition’s manufacturer’s recommendations.
After disinfection, the lubricant should be reprocessed to ensure that no residual contaminants remain on the instrument. This may be done by reassembling the instrument. If there are contaminants remaining, the lubricant should be rinsed off. Once the lubricant is rinsed off, the instrument should be dried off.
Surgical instruments require special care and should be stored in dry areas. When instruments are left wet, they are at risk for corrosion. They are also at risk for infection, which can result in delays and frustration in the operating room.
Lubricants that are not suitable for steam sterilization can interfere with the sterilization process. Additionally, over-dilution of the lubricant can cause it to be slippery. Furthermore, it is important to check the lubricant for penetration. These tests are necessary to avoid failures and delays in the operating room.
In order to lubricate surgical instruments, the composition may be sprayed or rubbed onto the surface of the instrument. Alternatively, it may be immersed in an instrument bath. Using the recommended concentration of the composition will help to ensure that it is effective in lubricating the surgical instruments.
