Classification The scalpels are comprised of two components: the blade and the handle.

The blades can be replaced and the handles can be reused. It should be noted that in surgery and other medical applications, the blade is used only once. The scalpels used in medicine are basically of two kinds. The first is the flat handle utilized in the #3 and #4 handles. The other is the #7, similar to a writing pen. The back is flat and the front is rounded off. The #4 is bigger than the #3. Blade #10 This is compatible with the 1, 3 and 7 handles. The cutting edge is curved and it has a flat back. It is utilized for slicing skin in surgery. This blade can also cut muscles in surgery. Blade #10a This surgical blade size is compatible with 3, 3L, 3 Graduated, 5B, 7, 9, B3 and B3 handles. The blade is straight and small. Blade #11 This is for 1, 3 and 7 handles. The blade is triangular and has a sharp end. The cutting edge is flat and parallel to the back. It is used for accurate cutting. This blade is also used in stencil cutting. Blade #12a This is for the 3 and 7 handles. This is a crescent shaped blade. It is small and sharpened at the interior of the curve. Blade #12b This surgical blade size is for the 3 and 7 handles. This is just like the #12a blade except both sides are sharp. Blade #15 For handles 3 and 7, it is a smaller version of the #10 blade. Blade #15c Also for the 3 and 7 handles, it is basically the #15 blade except for the angle that is set downward. Blade #16 This is for handles 1 and 3. The blade is narrow. It is set higher than the axis handle. This is sued mainly for stencil cutting. Blade #17 This blade is 1.6 mm long with a flat face. This blade is used when narrow cuts are required. It is for the 1 and 3 handles. Blade #18 This blade is 12.7 mm long. This is for the 2, 5 and 6 handles. This scalpel is for deep cuts.

Blade #19 This blade is for the 4 handle. This is very much like #15. These surgical blade sizes are some of the most common types you will come across. But it is very possible that other lengths are used by manufacturers. However, the length will be provided in the package. TYPES OF NEEDLE: Cutting Needle. A cutting needle is used primarily for suturing the skin. It has a very sharp tip with sharp edges, which are needed to pass through the skin. Since you will place primarily skin sutures, you generally will use a cutting needle. Tapered Needle. Tapered needles, or round-bodied needles, have a sharp tip with smooth edges and are less traumatic to the surrounding tissues. They are used primarily on the deeper, subcutaneous tissues, blood vessels, and intestinal anastomoses. Atapered needle is not good for simple skin suturing because it is difficult to pass the tapered needle through the skin.