Instruments used in pathology

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Instruments used specially in Pathology are as follows: [1][2][3]


Contents

[edit] Instrument list

Instrument Uses
Flow cytometer used for automated cell counting as in total blood count, differential count, etc
Tissue bath or Organ bath or Dale's apparatus used in tissue culture experiments mainly in Pharmacology for drugs, etc
Sahli Haemoglobinometer an old but rapid and simple method of hemoglobin estimation in the laboratories. Presently used in some places where sophisticated optical instruments are not available
Haemocytometer a microscope associated apparatus used for manual counting of cells in body fluids like blood, etc including for sperm count
Wintrobe's Tube used for ESR (Wintrobe's method), PCV, haematocrit, etc
Westergren's tube and ESR stand used for ESR (Westergren's method)
Capillary tubes used for capillary method of clotting time estimation
Urinometer used to determine the specific gravity of urine
Esbach's or other albuminometer used to measure the albumin content of urine
Lumbar puncture needle used for puncturing into the spine (or cisterns or fontanelles of a new born) for cerebro-spinal fluid aspiration or for injection drugs, specially anesthetics in spinal blocks, epidurals, etc
Bone-marrow puncture needle: Shals's, Klima's, Bone marrow biopsy needle, etc for puncturing into the cavity of bones containing red bone marrow for its aspiration. Used in diagnostic examinations
Disposable plastic molds or embedding molds (Leukart's L blocks) for tissue paraffin block making w.r.t. Histopathology used to make blocks of tissue for cutting into thin slices for microscopy
Block holders w.r.t. Histopathology used to hold the tissue blocks during cutting
Microtome: w.r.t. Histopathology used to cut the blocks of tissue embedded in paraffin into micro fine slices for miroscopy
•Rotatory microtome -do-; a special type
•Sliding microtome -do-; a special type
•Freezing microtome -do-; a special type
•Refrigerated microtome (cryostat) -do-; a special type that is used during operations to aid the surgeon in demarcating the diseased (specially neoplasms) tissue.
•Rocking microtome -do-; a special type
•Base sledge microtome -do-; a special type
•Ultra microtome -do-; a special type
Tissue section floating baths w.r.t. Histopathology used to spread the cut thin slices onto water using surface tension from where it is placed onto glass slides
Ryle's tube or Nasogastric tube used for nasogastric suction (or at times introduction of food or drugs). vide link
FNAC needles used for fine needle aspiration of material from inside the body; used for diagnostic examinations of the cells hence obtained; vide link
Trephine biopsy needle[4] used for taking a biopsy from a deep hard tissue like bone marrow (within a hard bone)
Spirometer: used to test lung function; vide link
•Water-seal type -do-
•Douglas bag type -do-
Peak flow meter or Peak expiatory flow rate meter used to test lung function by testing the rate at which the person can exhale; useful to diagnose COPD and asthma
Mercury or other manometers used to measure pressure of a fluid within a cavity like the spinal canal, which is raised in certain diseases
Electrocardiography machine (ECG) to read and trace the electrical activity of the heart; vide link
Sphygmomanometer or blood pressure monitor used to record blood pressure
Blood gas analyzer used to analyze and quantify the amount of various gases within blood (diagnostic standard requires blood from an artery). It is a standard intensive care unit or operation theater apparatus
Calorimeter to calculate basal metabolic rate; useful in thyroid diseases; vide link
•Atwater-Rosa-Benedict respiration chamber -do-
•Benedict-Roth's apparatus with Collin's modification -do- (uses a water seal)
•Ergometer -do-; antiquated instrument using a modified bicycle
•Electronic -do-; modern method
Electroencephalography (EEG) to read and trace the electrical activity of the brain; vide link
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) apparatus to replicate a DNA molecule manifolds; used in genetics, DNA fingerprinting from small samples, detection of infective organisms by their DNA, etc
Ophthalmoscope to look at the retina
Otoscope to look into the external ear cavity
Endoscope to look inside the oesophagus, stomach, upper intestines, bile duct, larynx, trachea, bronchi-through the mouth; anal canal, rectum, colon- through anus; used mainly in Surgery or by surgical consultants
Colposcope to look inside the female genitalia, eg. vagina
Proctoscope to look inside anal canal and lower part of the rectum

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[edit] References

  1. ^ Essentials of medical physiology by Dr. Arun Baran Singha Mahapatra, ISBN 81-86793-56-9
  2. ^ Practical Pathology by Dr. P. Chakraborty n Dr. G. Chakraborty, ISBN 81-7381-332-9
  3. ^ Robbins and Cotran Review of Pathology ISBN 0721601944
  4. ^ Bain BJ (2003). "Bone marrow biopsy morbidity and mortality". Br. J. Haematol. 121 (6): 949-51. PMID 12786808. 

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