This page provides an overview of our power tool products and their recommended use:

Uses: we  provide  a series of battery operated power tools that allow drilling, cutting and burring

Systems: there are two basic systems based on ‘large’ and ‘small’ batteries

Warranty: all our tools have a two-year warranty. Batteries have a one-year warranty

Loan items: we will provide a courtesy, when possible,  ‘loaner’ power tool in the unlikely event of a failure

Kits: ‘complete’ kits include a protective case, charger, battery, battery charger, chuck key (drills only) and battery insertion protector sleeve.

Individual items: these can be purchased individually. We recommend purchasing spare batteries, chuck keys  to cover for breakages and breaks in sterility.

Sterility: all products EXCEPT the battery and battery charger can be safely sterilized at 134 degrees centigrade. ***BATTERIES MUST NEVER BE HEAT/STEAM STERILIZED*** Products can be sterilized with Ethylene oxide. All power tools must be ‘dry’ before use.

Batteries: following sterilization the power tool is handled in a routine sterile manner by the surgeon who checks any ‘on-off’ switches are in an ‘off’ position and who then turns the power tool upside down with the battery housing facing to the ceiling. To insert a battery the battery housing ‘trap door’ is opened  by unlocking the catch and a sterile protector sleeve is attached to the battery housing by the surgeon. Subsequently a non-sterile assistant takes a completely charged battery   holding it by the silver colored handle and gently/carefully lowers it into  into the battery housing taking great care not to touch the drill or the outside of the battery housing. The battery is firmed into position by digital pressure by the assistant who ‘lowers’ the silver colored handle. The battery  sleeve protector is finally removed by the assistant and the battery  housing trap door is subsequently closed and the catch  placed into the locked position. The battery in returned to a normal operating position and the on switch turned to ‘on’ and the power tool tested. It is recommended that at no stage does the surgeon touch the ‘inside’ of the battery housing case or catch. [Pictures of the procedure will follow]

Cleaning: ***never  immerse a power tool or a battery in water***. Following use the power tool should be turned off. Any attachments/inserts (drill bits, blades etc) are removed and cleaned in a routine manner. Importantly the battery should be removed and placed on the charger. The power tools is taken and wiped with a warm damp clothe (water) until all organic debris is thoroughly removed. Particular attention should be paid to ‘triggers’ and the ends of chuck where debris may accumulate. A nylon brush may be used on the chock/attachment regions. For cannulated instruments a nylon brush may be passed through the cannulated region. The power tool is left to dry before being autoclaved. Prior to autoclaving/wrapping for autoclaving it is recommended a final check is performed to check:

  • the battery been removed
  • the battery housing ‘trap door’ closed and locked
  • the power tool is turned to the ‘off’ position

 

Servicing: as with all mechanical instruments/power tools we consider regular servicing (yearly)  to be best practice.

 

IMPORTANT RULES OF USE OF POWER TOOLS:

DON’T DROP THEM

DON’T IMMERSE THEM IN WATER

DON’T AUTOCLAVE THE BATTERIES

PLEASE ENSURE YOUR TECHNICIANS  ARE AWARE OF THESE RULES AS WE DO NOT PROVIDE WARRANTY FOR DAMAGE INCURRED AS A RESULT OF THESE ACTIONS

THANK YOU