By Arushi Trivedi on 8 Aug 2022
7 mins read
Medical equipment is used in a clinical setting for the diagnosis, treatment or repurposing following a disease or injury. Medical equipment are used in laboratories in hospitals or individually in path labs for the diagnosis of certain conditions, examples can be Microscope, different types of analyzers, centrifuge, etc.
Medical equipment are very essential as they limit the possibility of human error and give out results rapidly. The knowledge of these equipment is required by the personnel who are handling them. Here in this blog we provide the Medical Equipment List that are most useful in a laboratory setting.
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Microscopes are used for viewing minute objects that are too small to be seen by an unaided eye. The microscope produces an enlarged image allowing technicians to view the minute structures closely.
Microscopes may be used for different purposes:
A haemoglobinometer is a medical equipment used for haemoglobin estimation in a blood sample. The medical equipment operates via spectrophotometric measurement of haemoglobin concentration. The device is very easy to use and is portable, thus can be used in areas where clinical laboratories may not be available.
The device has a haemoglobin tube, pipette, stirrer, a comparator and hydrochloric acid. The blood sample turns brown when added to the acid and the colour of the solution is matched to the colour of the comparator by adding distilled water. The final level of solution on scale gives the quantity of haemoglobin.
The results are expressed as grams of haemoglobin per 100 ml of blood.
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This medical lab equipment is used to count and identify blood cells with accuracy. Haematology analyzer is a highly specialized and automated computerized machine. The analyzer has a very high level of precision for cell counting by techniques such as – Flow cytometry, Use of fluorescent dyes, Light scatter method, Radiofrequency, Electrical impedance method.
The haematology analyzer is used for:
The analyzer can be used to monitor diseases such as- leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, as well as types of bleeding disorders such as blood clotting – measuring blood cells and blood cell count can help diagnose these disorders properly as these disorders affect several properties of the blood.
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The medical equipment uses electrodes to determine the partial pressure of gases like carbon dioxide and oxygen in the blood. It determines concentrations of ions such as sodium, potassium or chloride. Blood gas analyzer detects abnormal acid-base balance and even abnormal levels of oxygen or carbon dioxide exchange.
Centrifuge is a very important medical lab equipment used for the separation of mixtures with relative densities, insoluble particles, sediment suspended solids, blood and immiscible liquids. The equipment is used in both research and clinical laboratories and comes equipped with a rapidly rotating container which works on the centrifugal force acting on the contents i.e. the centrifuge tubes containing fluids and liquids.
In the laboratory the centrifuge can be used to separate blood components: Red blood cells, White blood cells and platelets to finally carry out tests and treatments on individual components.
There are many types of centrifuges being used in different laboratory that serve different purposes:
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Cryostat is a medical device which is used to maintain very low temperatures close to -50°C
The device is used for storing samples, devices and slides to make them remain viable for a long time. The device uses liquid cryogens such as nitrogen and helium for maintaining the viability of the materials. Cryostat is also used for cutting tissues hence preparing tissue samples for research – this is done by a microtome to slice the samples extremely thin.
After preparing the samples, they can be observed under a microscope. Cryostat is useful in a laboratory as it provides a quick diagnosis of the condition of the tissue sections, it is also used to study margins of cancer, and section samples for enzyme histochemical analysis. It is often used to help diagnose and treat autoimmune and neuromuscular diseases.
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Autoclaving is the most widely used method of sterilization of samples used in a clinical laboratory. Autoclave is an electrical device which is used to sterilize or disinfect materials through physical means. Autoclave uses pressure, temperature and steam for sterilization.
The principle on which the autoclave works is downward displacement of air by gravity.
Typically the parameter for steam sterilization are :
The device is used to disinfect and sterilise medical, laboratory, and industrial equipment such as pipette tips, plastic tubes, glassware, surgical instruments and settings. Autoclave uses moist heat to destroy microorganisms via irreversible coagulation and denaturation of enzymes and structural proteins.
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Cell counters are used in medical and research laboratories
Uses of cell counter:
Cell counters are very essential in clinical laboratories and cell therapies as they help the physicians and doctors find out the count of blood cells – dead or alive
Cell counters consist of microchannels that separate two chambers where fluid containing particles or cells is drawn through each microchannel. The microchannel consists of electrolyte solution where each particle causes a slight change in the electrical resistance of the liquid. This electrical resistance is detected by the counter.
Many types of cell counters are available one of which is:
Differential counter that measures the number of red blood cells, types of white blood cells, and platelets in the blood sample. Following centrifugation, cells get removed and plasma-like supernatant remains.
Incubators are mainly used for microbiological purposes.
These are environmentally-controlled chambers that control factors such as temperature and humidity, Carbon dioxide levels within a closed area. The environment of an Incubator is such that it promotes the growth of different cells and tissue cultures.
Microbiological incubators are used for many purposes such as:
There are numerous other pieces of equipment that are used in a medical laboratory. There is a wide range of laboratory equipment designed to serve a specific purpose, such as:
| Equipments | Detail | Manufacturers |
| Microtome | Sample preparation in order to observe them under a microscope | Aiishil International Thane West, Thane |
| Spirit lamp/ burners, hot plates | Source of heat | Anand Gems Bani Park, Jaipur, Rajasthan |
| Funnels | Guided pouring | Mayalab Instrument Kuldeep Nagar, Ambala |
| Pipettes, burettes, droppers | Deliver a solution with measured concentration | Aditya Agri Science Shapar |
| Petri dish | Grow cultures of cells, viruses, bacteria etc. | Avantor Performance Materials India Limited Sector 100, Gurgaon |
| Stands, racks | To hold the test tubes upright | Harpal Sons Vishwakarma Nagar, Ambala |
| Histology and cytology equipment and a setup for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay | Carrying out diagnostic tests in laboratories | Vijayshanti Instruments Corporation Feelkhana, Hyderabad |
Medical laboratory equipment is vital to perform most of the tests in the laboratories. A medical laboratory technician counts on these to provide the reports of investigations. These reports form the basis of the final diagnosis of the health condition of a patient by a physician/doctor.
It is important to always use the various instruments with care, precaution and standard mode of operation.
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Here is a basic medical equipment list with medical equipment names and uses as well as the list of top manufacturers of the equipment.
| Equipment | Equipment details | Manufacturers |
| Microscope | Microscopes are used for viewing minute objects that are too small to be seen by an unaided eye. | Aiishil Internationall Thane West, Thane |
| Sahli Haemoglobinometer | A haemoglobinometer is a medical equipment used for haemoglobin estimation in a blood sample. | Foreign Surgical Co Delhi |
| Haematology Analyzer | Count and identify blood cells with accuracy. | Avantor Performance Materials India Limited Sector 100, Gurgaon |
| Blood Gas Analyzer | The medical equipment uses electrodes to determine the partial pressure of gases like carbon dioxide and oxygen in the blood | Hd Consortium India Limited New Delhi |
| Clinical Centrifuge | Centrifuge is a very important medical lab equipment used for the separation of mixtures with relative densities, insoluble particles, sediment suspended solids, blood and immiscible liquids | Byahut Scientico Jhotwara, Jaipur |
| Cryostat | Cryostat is a medical device which is used to maintain very low temperatures close to -50°C | Mcani International Ambala |
| Autoclave | Autoclave is an electrical device which is used to sterilize or disinfect materials through physical means | HSIIDC Saha, Ambala |
| Cell Counter | Cell counters are used in medical and research laboratories | Avantor Performance Materials India Limited Sector 100, Gurgaon |
| Clinical Laboratory Incubator | Environmentally-controlled chambers that control factors such as temperature and humidity, Carbon dioxide levels within a closed area | Bioline Technologies Kalwa West, Thane |
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What are medical equipments?
Medical equipment are devices used inside a clinical setting to diagnose and treat a number of diseases. The equipment could be an article, instrument, apparatus or machine that is used for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of an illness or a disease. Medical equipment is also used for the purpose of detecting, measuring, restoring, correcting or modifying the structure or function of the body or its parts used in the healthcare setting.
What is the most used medical equipment?
The most useful medical equipment in terms of analysis is a microscope. It is the first equipment used for observation and hence is mostly used for initial observation of the sample.
What equipment do hospitals need?
Hospitals require a number of equipment but the most essential one’s are – autoclaves, incubators and microscopes.
What are the different types of medical devices?
Medical device is a very broad term which includes all types of medical equipments as well as other devices that are used in the field of healthcare, It can be an instrument, apparatus, implant, machine, appliance, reagent for in-vivo use, software, material, etc. used in a healthcare setting for various purposes related to diagnosis and treatment of diseases of a patient or improving the current condition.
