Performance is the top priority in surgical procedures because any deficiency can damage patients’ lives. Experts belonging to different fields use the best instruments and technology to diagnose and treat patients with care. The surgical instruments not only need to be precise, durable, corrosion-resistant, strong, but they should also perform the desired functions. A huge part of a surgical procedure revolves around how accurate and precise your equipment is. When surgeons are operating, any wrong move can result in irreversible damage if you end up hitting an artery. It can be painful and dangerous and lead to blood loss.
Surgeons rely on their instruments to be delicate and precise. Stainless metal is the commonly used material to craft surgical equipment. This material provides a smooth mechanism of the instruments, and it is quite reliable as well. However, the medical profession is also about thriving and making improvements. It would be best if you had little or no risks in the operating room. Stainless steel metal has its perks, but it is not the strongest, harmless, or durable metal out there. A lot of manufacturers all over the world use tons of different metals that provide better results in the making of medical tools. Tungsten Carbide is more reliable than stainless metal because it is stronger and offers a better grip on the instruments.
Tungsten Carbide Surgical Instruments
Instruments are made of Tungsten Carbide are quite smooth and strong. Medical procedures require a smooth, error-free application, but the instruments need to be rigid. A smooth and steady process can reduce any room for errors during the operation. Moreover, the strong and rigid nature of tungsten carbide tools can withstand any external pressure. Every one of the clinical instruments manufactured using tungsten carbide offers a solid hold and lasting grip that gives the surgeon more control over the outcomes. These tools have high durability and strength. These Tungsten Carbide medical instruments are suitable for cutting and dissecting because their edges are sharp and smooth enough not to damage any surrounding areas.
Tungsten Carbide holds many features and properties that make it stand out from the rest of the metals used in making surgical equipment. The top-notch quality surgical instruments incorporate numerous scalpels, forceps, needle holders, types of surgical scissors, and different assortments. Keeping the complication and fragile nature of the human body in mind, experts create these tools to work flawlessly during surgeries. These surgical tools are reliable and fulfill clinical requirements for a wide scope of medical procedures. They are commonly utilized in dentistry, ophthalmology, dermatology, and general medical procedures. Surgeons prefer to use Tungsten Carbide instruments to diminish harm to organs and tissues. This type of surgical equipment is known for its immense strength but offers 100% precision.
Some of the commonly used surgical tools made of Tungsten Carbide are;
- Dressing and Tissue Forceps
- Tungsten Carbide Needle Holders
- Pin and Wire Cutters
- Tungsten Carbide Scissors
During the development and manufacturing process of surgical equipment sometimes have a combination of metals. In some tools, stainless metal is the primary material. However, some tools use TC.
Why Is This Metal Suitable to Manufacture Surgical Instruments?
Clinical instruments made of Tungsten Carbide are more grounded and stronger than all the other metals such as stainless metal and can last up to multiple times longer. Apart from all these properties, instruments made of Tungsten Carbide have cutting and sharp edges that stay in shape and sharper than ever. Any medical instrument with Tungsten Carbide in the tip, like forceps, will want to convey a more firm and everlasting grip on the instrument.
Tungsten carbide assortments are utilized in medical equipment to upgrade their presentation and life span and improve their performance. Tungsten carbide needle holders and forceps handles are safer because of the strong grasp and are more solid.
For a long time, people have been aware of the multiple properties of this metal and the strength it holds. It can prove to be highly beneficial in the making of both general and specialized surgical tools. This metal is suitable as both the primary and the secondary material to create equipment of all sorts. Some instruments require a stronger grip; thus, this metal is used to fulfill all the purposes. During surgical operations, grip and performance are the top priorities as they help the professional treat the patient with utmost care. It minimizes the risks of any human errors during the operation and does the job without causing any harm to the surrounding tissues.
Properties of Tungsten Carbide
Tungsten carbide is among the hardest materials referred to and is in some cases known to us as a “man-made jewel.” The essential benefit of tungsten carbide is its hardness which makes it withstand rust and be corrosion resistant. The tungsten carbide should be heated at 1454° C to 3200° C to sustain its hardness.
Tungsten carbide embeds, or alloys are suitable for manufacturing surgical instruments to improve their presentation and life span. These additions are smaller inserts with the functioning finish of the clinical equipment to help them last longer. Tungsten carbide needle holders and forceps handle the procedure more safely and are more solid than their tempered steel materials. Tungsten carbide scissors and bone instruments cut better and need substantially less honing or sharpening than surgical tools.
Some of the notable and outstanding properties are;
- High resistance to rust and corrosion
- Withstanding high temperatures and critical conditions
- Strength and rigid nature
- Easily sterilized
- High hardened nature
- Durability and longevity
- Enhanced performance
- Smooth and easy to operate
Tungsten Carbide Instruments VS Sterling Metal Instruments
Despite all the wide range of properties, why are tungsten carbide instruments a better option than stainless surgical tools? Most general and common tools have stainless metal as their primary material, so how is tungsten carbide suitable? Although stainless metal has its properties, the simple answer is that TC is considered more versatile and useful. The wide use of Tungsten Carbide instruments also depends upon the requirements of the medical industry. Meanwhile, you work on your patients and perform difficult procedures; you need to keep all the tools sterilized at all times and make sure everything still stays in shape. After constant and rigorous sterilization cycles, any metal instrument can start to wear or rust. Fortunately, TC instruments can withstand sterilization and still stay corrosion-free without depending upon the times you sterilize or clean them.
These instruments will stay in shape, won’t loosen or become less sharp. You can expect the same results and performance as you got the first time to have these tools. Tungsten Carbide is a combination of both carbon and tungsten. That is what makes it so strong and durable. It becomes resistant to any scratching or rusting because it is almost as hard as diamond. Thus, you can see the same properties in the surgical tools made of this metal. TC surgical equipment is three times harder than those of stainless metal instruments. On the other hand, the sterilization process is quicker and easier because this metal has a smooth surface. Overall, all these qualities make it a better option in the medical field.