During medical procedures, the surgeon often has to approach the human body cavities to detach, remove, or repair certain body tissues. For this purpose, certain medical instruments are particularly designed which facilitate the procedures by increasing the accessibility to the internal tissues. One such category includes forceps which come in different shapes and sizes and are employed for grasping, retracting, or stabilizing the tissues. Among these, a rather famous one is the Hartmann alligator forceps. Let us take a look at their design, usage methods, and applications.
What are Alligator Forceps?
Alligator forceps, also known as Alligator mouth, Crocodile forceps, Hartmann alligator forceps, or Hartmann foreign body forceps, are medical devices that are used to remove foreign bodies from the body during surgery or other medical procedures especially those related to nose, ears, and throat.
These were first designed and developed by Arthur Hartmann, a German physician. The name alligator was suggested for the forceps owing to the shape of the tip which opens like an alligator’s snout.
Parts of Alligator Forceps
Alligator forceps are non-sterile, reusable items that are designed in a way that the effect of natural tremors or shaking of the physician’s hand is minimized. It comprises of the following parts:
– Non-ratcheted finger rings:
Non-ratcheted finger rings facilitate holding the forceps with ease.
– Shaft:
The alligator forceps have a shaft length of 8 to 12 cm with a standard muscle length of 1 to 1.5 cm. Moreover, the base of the shaft is angled at 45° at the point of the grip.
– Mouth/Jaw:
The alligator forceps have an alligator-like mouth that opens with an upper and lower blade. These blades are rotatable at a 360° angle and are available in both smooth as well as serrated forms. This jaw can open up to 5 mm.
Different Types and Sizes of Alligator Forceps
The basic design of the alligator forceps has been modified to achieve different kinds of forceps which are then employed to serve multiple purposes.
Moreover, these also vary in sizes which usually range from 8.5 cm to 30 cm based on their overall length.
These lengths are set depending on the type of function alligator forceps have to perform. Some of the commonly available types of alligator forceps include the following:
– Micro forceps alligator action
– Endolaryngeal micro alligator forceps
– Noyes alligator forceps
– Alligator cup forceps by ConMed
– Hot alligator cup forceps by ConMed
– ArthVance alligator grasper forceps
– Biopsy alligator forceps with needle
Material Considerations
Hartmann alligator forceps are usually prepared using stainless steel obtained from Indian, Japanese, or German origin.
Among these, the latter two enjoy the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Conformite Europeenne (CE) certification to be used as a building material for medical instruments.
Apart from this, these alligator forceps are also prepared by tungsten carbide which is also an efficient and corrosion-resistant material.
Characteristic Features of Alligator Forceps
Alligator forceps are in line with the recommended features that forceps should have, some of which have been given below:
– Forceps, as well as other medical instruments, should be tarnish-free.
– Forceps should be resistant to corrosion.
– Forceps should be sterilizable/autoclavable so that they can be easily subjected to high temperatures and other extreme conditions.
Apart from these, alligator forceps provide a strong grip which facilitates its handling and operating during surgery. Moreover, these forceps have been passivated to make them rust and corrosion-free.
Proper Care and Sterilization Methods
Being a multi-use item, the alligator forceps need proper care after every use. These forceps need to be subjected to sterilization frequently to reduce the chances of cross-contamination.
Here are some of the sterilization methods which can be employed for this purpose:
Autoclaving:
Like any other medical instrument that has been prepared using stainless steel, alligator forceps also need to be sterilized by employing an autoclave. An exposure of as long as 30 minutes at a temperature of 250°C is recommended as necessary.
The pressure during this procedure is maintained at 15 PSI. However, similar results can be obtained by raising the temperature and pressure to 273°C and 30 PSI respectively which reduces the exposure time down to 15 minutes.
Steam sterilization:
Another effective method is steam sterilization which is to be done at 134°C for 3 minutes.
Mechanical washing:
Mechanical machines as well as ultrasonic cleaners are also effective in deeply cleaning the medical instruments by washing them with detergents.
Disinfection:
Disinfecting wipes developed to clean instruments can also be utilized.
The alligator forceps, along with other medical supplies, can be purchased from Health Supply 770 at the most affordable prices. Furthermore, the prices are even lower during the weekly deals they offer on certain items. Do check them out for stocking up on some essential supplies.
Tips for Safe and Effective Use
For effectively using alligator forceps, there is a need to take care of these properly. The instruments should be subjected to sterilization immediately after being used in a procedure.
Benzyl ammonium chloride-containing solutions should not be used on tungsten carbide products as they can aggressively destroy the material.
Once sterilized, alligator forceps should be stored in a cool and dry place until further use. Usually, these forceps have a warranty of 1 year after which these should be replaced.
Conclusion
Alligator forceps are one the most commonly employed forceps in hospitals and other medical facilities. These are efficient in removing ear wax, and body tissues, or in conducting a biopsy.
Their shapes and sizes have evolved over the years based on the procedures in which these are to be used. Being made up of stainless steel, these alligator forceps are corrosion-free.
Considering their extensive use, healthcare facilities should have plenty of these stocked up for emergencies. Therefore, go check out the great deals on alligator forceps as well as other medical supplies on Health Supply 770 and place an order now.
Uzma Zafar is a dedicated and highly motivated pharmaceutical professional currently pursuing her PhD in Pharmaceutics at the Punjab University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab. With a comprehensive academic and research background, Uzma has consistently excelled in her studies, securing first division throughout her educational journey.
Uzma’s passion for the pharmaceutical field is evident from her active engagement during her Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) program, where she not only mastered industrial techniques and clinical case studies but also delved into marketing strategies and management skills.
Throughout her career, Uzma has actively contributed to the pharmaceutical sciences, with specific research on suspension formulation and Hepatitis C risk factors and side effects. Additionally, Uzma has lent her expertise to review and fact-check articles for the Health Supply 770 blog, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the information presented.
As she continues her PhD, expected to complete in 2025, Uzma is eager to contribute further to the field by combining her deep knowledge of pharmaceutics with real-world applications to meet global professional standards and challenges.
