fiber optic endoscopes and tactile probes Carriers and appliers for optical, electronic, and mechanical devices Ultrasound tissue disruptors, cryotomes and cutting laser guides Measurement devices, such as rulers and calipers Energy systems tools are used to cut tissues or seal vessels Electrosurgery is a modern technology that uses high frequency electrical current to cut or coagulate blood. Argon plasma coagulation involves the application of gas discharges in argon. Ultrasound surgery uses high frequency and high energy sound waves to target and destroy tissue. LigaSure fuses vessels up to 7mm in diameter in an efficient manner. Terminology The expression surgical instrumentation is somewhat interchangeably used with surgical instruments, but its meaning in medical jargon is the activity of providing assistance to a surgeon with the proper handling of surgical instruments during an operation, by a specialized professional, usually a surgical technologist or sometimes a nurse or radiographer. An important relative distinction regarding surgical instruments is the amount of bodily disruption or tissue trauma that their use might cause the patient. Terms relating to this issue are 'atraumatic' and minimally invasive. See also Instruments used in general surgery Medical instruments and implants Gallery References External links Edgar R. McGuire Historical Medical Instrument Collection from the University at Buffalo Libraries Bibliography Wells, MP, Bradley, M: Surgical Instruments A Pocket Guide. W.B. Saunders, 1998.