Named after its inventor, Professor Gabriel Valentin, a German physiologist and professor, the knife was in use during the late 19th century. Valentin Knife: The Valentin Knife is incredibly precise, able to cut through organs and tissue for microscopic examination. Amputations are now performed with oscillating saws primarily, saws that utilize a push and pull method to cut through flesh and bone. Made out of expensive metal, the Liston Knife had a blade length of approximately seven inches. For this reason, it was a medical staple of the Civil War. Liston Knife: This knife, named after Robert Liston (a 19th century surgeon famous for his surgical speed in an era when speed made a difference in terms of pain and survival), was the tool of choice for 19th century surgical amputations. The bell has a long handle, which is placed through a hole in the the clamp during circumcisions. The more modern method behind circumcision is using the Gombco Bell and Clamp. The Flaciform Amputation Knife has now fallen out of use beginning in the 19th century, doctors started to opt for straight-edge knives that would leave skin around the area being amputated, thus ensuring the appendage to be covered in skin once again.Ĭircumcison Knife: Dating from the late 18th century, this cringe-worthy knife was responsible for performing a number of circumcisions (removal of foreskin). Take a look at some historical (and terrifying) knives from surgeries past.įlaciform Amputation Knife: Used primarily in the 18th century, this curved knife was used to cut through skin and flesh before the doctor pulled out a surgical saw to cut through the bone to finish the job of cutting off an entire limb or appendage. In fact, a lot of medical knives are now considered incredibly antiquated. However, the enduring relevance of obsidian scalpels doesn’t mean other traditional surgery knives are still in use. Lee Green, of the University of Alberta, says he routinely uses obsidian blades during surgery. The edge of obsidian clocks in at 30 angstrom, or one hundred millionth of a centimeter, rivaling a diamond for fineness of edge. In fact, several modern surgeons cite using scalpels made of obsidian, rather than steel, which has a microscopically jagged edge. And ultimately, it could be possible to 3D print reinforced obsidian or something even better.In some ways, surgery knives have barely progressed from their Stone Age counterparts. ![]() And with AI, they could be robotically napped (though that will only raise the price – with low quantities, building a “flint-napping” robot with AI software would cost more to build than building a human). With more interest pushing more experimentation, perhaps a way to reinforce them will be invented. No doubt as interest in obsidian scalpels increases, there will be more research in design and manufacture, and the best design(s) become standard. What would happen with something sharp in the body that couldn’t be enveloped in scar tissue? Hopefully more research will be performed, including on how to monitor for breakage, and find and retrieve them. ![]() Indeed, I’m kinda curious what an ultra-sharp obsidian edge would do if left in, since the finest obsidian edges supposedly don’t leave scars. It’s not a matter of if it will happen, but how often. ![]() Even the cheapest steel blade is unlikely to break even if a surgeon tried to do it. Still, even at the same price point, they are available with what appears to be a more stable design.īut you’ve got a good point.
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