Over time, many different kinds of surgical instruments and tools have been invented, some are designed for general use in surgery, while others are designed for a specific procedure of surgery. These specially designed tools or device for performing specific actions or carrying out desired effects during surgery or operation, such as cutting and dissecting, or to provide access for viewing it are known as surgical instruments.
The Classification of Instruments by their Functions
There are different types of instruments for different functions and purposes. These instruments can be classified according to their functions, such as cutting and dissecting, grasping and holding, clamping and occluding, suturing and stapling, viewing, suctioning, dilating and probing, measuring, micro instruments, and/or powered instruments. Many find it particularly difficult to understand what they are or what they are used to do. As there are thousands of surgical instruments but it gets much easier once you realize that surgical instruments are essentially classified by the way the surgery and its use in that particular surgical procedure.
History of Surgical Instruments
Surgical instruments have an important place in the history of medicine and as well as in the history of technology.
The precursor to modern instrumentation was born, and orthopedic surgery came to prominence in Ancient Greece. Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, founded classical surgery. Reports stated that hardened iron, copper, bronze, and brass were used to make instruments, which were either cast, forged or cold-worked.
Surgical Instruments Then and Now
There were metal craftsmen in ancient times, who were specialized in the manufacture of medical instruments. Their good quality and their elaborate ornamentation were two of the very striking features of ancient instruments.
Nowadays the instruments undergo electropolishing, in addition to hand polishing. You can buy these instruments so much easier these days; you can even order these online now.