The scalpel is one of the best-known and oldest surgical instruments in the history of medicine. Widely used to make incisions, its main feature is to carry an extremely sharp blade, of different types for specific functions.
Learn more about the scalpel's role in the hospital environment, what types of scalpels are used, and where to find a safe disposable scalpel online.
Scalpel: Definition
The scalpel is a knife-shaped surgical instrument with a knife blade and a handle, designed to make cuts in soft tissues.
Throughout history, there have been many different types, with variations in the tip, which could be curved, straight, square, spear-iron shaped, or circular, while the handle (or hilt) also used to be made of various materials, such as bone, wood, iron, ivory, bronze, and steel.
Starting in the 20th century, the various technological advances in the medical field enabled the emergence of the disposable scalpel, which revolutionized an entire segment of surgery, coexisting with the classic scalpels.
Traditional Scalpels
Traditional scalpels come in sizes #3 and #4. The former is smaller and better suited for delicate surgical procedures, while the latter is better suited for more general surgical procedures.
Scalpel blades, in this sense, are determined according to applicability. Therefore:
Handle #3 - Applies to smaller blades (# 10, 1, 12, 15), intended for more critical and delicate acts.
The handle nº 4 - Uses larger blades (# 20, 21, 2, 23, 24, 25). They are more used in larger incisions.
Click here to access Jensen's scalpel catalog, and check all the options and models available.
Disposable Scalpels
The disposable scalpel is also a surgical instrument used in the procedure of performing superficial tissue incisions in patients during a surgical process.
Recommended for general use by surgeons, the disposable scalpel has a non-toxic plastic handle and a stainless steel blade attached, which facilitates and helps to handle.
In addition, the blade of the disposable scalpel has an advantage over others in the same category for being very sharp. The instrument also has packaging made from surgical paper, offering more safety and also hygiene with disposal after use.
The disposable scalpels are sterile, with plastic handles, and come with full specifications. They also have an integrated protective cover that avoids the need to manually discard the blade, which prevents accidental injuries to medical professionals during blade discarding.
Visit the Jensen Instrument Technologies catalog to purchase disposable scalpels
Find disposable hospital scalpels with safety and quality on our website.
Jensen Instrument Technologies sells a wide range of medical-hospital products and can quickly meet the supply needs of hospitals and clinics throughout Australia.
We have an extensive catalog of hospital supplies, such as the disposable scalpel, recommended for the most diverse surgical procedures. Today, scalpels have a version with a safety device that protects the healthcare professional, under the HE-023 standard.
