moves while the rest of it stays still. This can limit collateral damage
when sawing, and works very well for bunionectomies or total hip
replacements, where you're trying to cut deep holes in the bone as
opposed to slices.
4
Easy to assemble
There are 2 basic ways to connect the handpiece to the chosen
tip. The traditional chuck key option requires the surgeon to
manually turn the end of the handpiece and attach the new tip. This
can be time-consuming and complex, especially if you're changing
tips frequently during a case. Newer options include a quick-release
function that lets the surgeon press a button and enlarge the opening
where the attachment is inserted. The surgeon can press the button,
remove the tip and replace it extremely quickly.
Another consideration is the assembly of the instrument itself. If
your facility is going to be doing the reprocessing, make sure that
your reprocessing techs can thoroughly clean and sterilize all parts
of the tool. Products that are easy to assemble and disassemble
make this task easier. You may also consider single-use tools for
emergency situations or when one of your devices breaks down,
though they tend to be expensive and increase your medical waste.
5
Better battery options
Power tools can be tethered or battery operated. Tethered
options are connected to a power source, or are powered by
tubing connected to tanks of compressed air, known as pneumatic
power tools. While tethered options are still used today in some
heavy-duty surgeries — they work well when you need to cut through
a metal implant — most surgeons prefer cordless options.
A few years ago, battery options didn't produce high speeds and
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