What is Medical Instruments and Why Do We Use Them?

Instrument Uses Bandage material used to support a medical dressing or injured body part Bedpan for patients who are unconscious or too weak to sit up or walk to the toilet to defecate Cannula to create a permanent pathway to a vein (or artery) for the purpose of repeated injections or infusion of intravenous fluids Catheter to drain and collect urine directly from the bladder (primary use) also to act as a makeshift oxygen tube etc. Crocodile forceps to remove foreign bodies from ear or nasal cavities. Electrocardiograph machine to record the electrical activity of the heart over a period of time Enema equipment to inject fluid into the lower bowel for several purposes, most frequently for relieving constipation Endoscope to look inside the gastrointestinal tract, used mainly in surgery or by surgical consultants External cardioverter / Defibrillator to correct arrhythmias of the heart Gauze sponge to absorb blood and other fluids as well as clean wounds Haemodialysis machine to remove toxic materials from the blood that are generally removed by the kidneys; used in case of kidney failure Hypodermic needle / Syringe for injections and aspiration of blood or fluid from the body Instrument sterilizer to sterilize instruments in absence of an autoclave Kidney dish as a tray for instruments, gauze, tissue, etc. Measuring tape for length, height, head circumference and girth measurements Medical ultrasound to create an image of internal body structures Nasogastric tube for nasogastric suction or the introduction of food or drugs into the body Nebulizer to produce aerosols of drugs to be administered by respiratory route Ophthalmoscope to look at the retina Otoscope to look into the external ear cavity Oxygen mask and tubes to deliver gases to the mouth/nostrils to assist in oxygen intake or to administer aerosolized or gaseous drugs Pipette or dropper to measure out doses of liquid, specially in children Proctoscope to look inside the anal canal and lower part of the rectum Radiography to view internal body structures Reflex hammer to test motor reflexes of the body Sphygmomanometer to measure the patient's blood pressure Suction device to suck up blood or secretions Surgical scissors used for dissecting or cutting Thermometer to record body temperature Tongue depressor for use in oral examination Transfusion kit to transfuse blood and blood products Tuning fork to test for deafness and to categorize it Ventilator to assist or carry out the mechanical act of inspiration and expiration so the non-respiring patient can do so; a common component of "life support" Wartenberg wheel for neurological use Watch / Stopwatch for recording rates like heart rate, respiratory rate, etc.; for certain hearing tests.