Single-Use Michel Clip Applying and Removing Forceps
In surgery, closing the wound isn’t just the final move; it’s the bridge between healing and problems, between a clean recovery and infection risk. Among the many ways we can close a wound, one method shines for its speed and reliability: the Michel suture clip.
Originally
created to quickly bring tissue edges together, Michel clips are now used in
everything from skull repairs to trauma surgeries. But the real heroes are the
Michel clip applying and removing forceps. These sleek instruments place and
remove the tiny clips with accuracy, making hard jobs much easier.
As the
spotlight on infection control and fast procedures grows, single-use disposable
forceps are becoming the standard. This article will explore their design, use,
clinical benefits, safety features, and future directions, showing why
single-use Michel clip forceps are fast becoming the tool of choice in today’s
operating rooms.
What Are Michel Clips?
Before
diving into the forceps that apply the clips, let’s clarify what Michel clips
actually are. Michel clips are U-shaped metal staples, usually made from
stainless steel or titanium. Their main uses include:
Quick,
temporary closure of skin wounds
Bringing
skin edges together in preparation for suturing
Holding skin
edges steady in scalp flaps or after opening the skull
Closing
wounds in trauma or emergency procedures
Unlike
standard sutures, the clips are applied in seconds using a specific type of
forceps. When it's time to remove them, they come out cleanly, leaving the
tissue intact.
Michel Clips at a Glance
Available in
small, medium, and large sizes
Primary
purpose: stop bleeding and hold wound edges together
Quick
application with minimal tissue damage
Best suited
for temporary wound closure when absorbable sutures aren’t needed
The Role of Michel Clip Forceps
Placement: The forceps crimp the clip onto
the skin edges in a single motion
Removal: Gently open the U-shape to pop
the clip off without traction
Stability: Keep the clip aligned and apply
even pressure the whole time
Safety: Shield adjacent tissue from
ripping or crushing during insertion and removal
Traditionally,
forceps are made of surgical stainless steel and can be sterilized for repeated
use. Recently, however, single-use forceps are becoming standard in procedure
kits to save time and reduce infection risk.
Why Go Single-Use? The Case for Next-Gen Instruments
Hospitals
today juggle stricter safety standards and a stubborn rise in hospital-acquired
infections (HAIs). Single-use instruments are emerging as a smart choice,
thanks to a few big advantages:
Block
Cross-Contamination Cold
Each Tool Is
Sterile, Every Single Time
Trim Costs
for Sterilization, Tracking, and Repairs
Speed Up
Treatment in Emergencies and Busy Clinics
Keep Quality
Consistent from First Case to Last
In wound
management and skin-closure procedures—especially in neurosurgery and
trauma—the single-use Michel clip forceps are becoming the go-to choice for
their quick setup and built-in sterility.
The Anatomy and Design of the Single-Use Michel Clip Forceps
Each set of
Michel clip forceps is crafted for peak performance, even though it’s meant for
one patient only. Here are the standout features:
Spring-Loaded
Handle: The handle
opens and closes smoothly, letting the surgeon work for a long stretch without
tiring a hand.
Clip Seat
Mechanism: This
guide locks the Michel clip in place, aligning it perfectly for a clean, exact
release.
Fine-Pointed
Arms: The delicate
tips let you control the tissue precisely while creating just the right amount
of space.
Removal
Tip Jaws: These
apply gentle opposing force to open the clip, ensuring you don’t damage the
skin surface.
Material: : The forceps are made from medical-grade polymer or fiber-reinforced plastic, and some versions include tips reinforced with a small amount of metal to add some extra durability.
Overall
Length
Most models measure between 13 and 15 cm (5.1 to 6.0 inches).
Packaging
Each pair comes sealed in a sterilized, peel-open pouch for safe handling.
Sterilization
Method
We use either gamma irradiation or ethylene oxide (EtO) to achieve a sterile
product.
Color
Coding
In select lines, we add colored handles to distinguish between applicator and
removal versions.
Despite
being single-use, the force-curve, spring-back, and grip feel almost identical
to those of reusable sterilizable forceps.
Clinical Applications Across Specialties
These
forceps aren’t just for one specialty—they meet the needs of many.
Uses of Michel Clip Forceps in Surgical Practice
Neurosurgery
After a
craniotomy, they quickly anchor scalp flaps.
Surgeons
skip time-consuming sutures, speeding up closure.
Clips come
off easily and cleanly without bleeding.
Trauma and Emergency Surgery
They rapidly
close bleeding skin wounds.
Clips serve
as a fast, temporary fix before permanent repair.
They control
bleeding in jagged lacerations.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Use them to
hold skin edges steady while prepping a graft.
Clips apply
gentle pressure, minimizing trauma and scars.
Pediatric Surgery
The clips
rest softly on skin, avoiding pain.
They’re a
smart suture alternative for active, wiggly children.
Small Cuts, Big Impact
Ideal for
tiny scalp nicks and delicate facial cuts, Michel clip forceps stand ready for
action.
How to Use Michel Clip Forceps: A Simple Guide
Getting Started
Slide a
Michel clip into the forceps.
Set the clip
on the edge of the wound.
Squeeze the
handle. The clip pinches the tissue edges.
The clip
hugs the skin evenly, spreading the hold without extra trauma.
Taking It Off
Flip the
forceps so the back of the jaw faces the clip.
Catch the
two clip ends.
Ease open
the jaws, and the clip slides off with a soft click.
These
user-friendly, one-time forceps let surgeons work with pinpoint finesse—especially
vital when the tissue is as thin as the scalp or the cheek.
Keeping Infections Away
Traditional
reusable forceps, even after autoclaving, can harbor trouble:
Biofilm
builds up, hiding bacteria.
Small nicks
and grooves trap germs, making complete cleaning impossible.
In a rush, a
missing tray of sterilized instruments slows everything down.
Disposable
Michel forceps eliminate these headaches:
They come
sealed and ready to go, super sterile from the package.
There's no
risk of bringing back germs.
The OR team
can skip lugging heavy trays, speeding up prep.
They follow
ISO 13485 and EU MDR standards for one-time use.
Many
hospitals across Europe now insist on single-use instruments that contact the
skin, especially in trauma and neurosurgery. This practice is in line with WHO
recommendations for curbing infections.
Material Science and Manufacturing
Today’s
single-use Michel forceps are built from advanced materials:
Injection-molded
polycarbonate delivers both clarity and the toughness needed for repeated
movement.
Reinforced
nylon, combined with glass fibers, adds rigidity for precision handling.
Flexible ABS
blends combine the right stiffness and bend for textured grips.
Metal-tipped
polymer versions merge the light weight of plastic with the fine feel of
stainless steel.
Production
occurs in ISO-class cleanroom's that ensure the strictest cleanliness. Steps
include fully automated filling and cooling, laser cutting for the unique tip
profile, and exact spring-tension tuning.
Sterilization
is achieved with:
Gamma
irradiation
Ethylene
oxide gas
Gamma
irradiation in select areas
Ergonomics Designed for Gloved Hands
Lightweight—less
than steel—these single-use forceps reduce hand fatigue during lengthy cases.
Teams gain confidence and control without the cost of reprocessing.
Ergonomic Features
Contoured,
textured grips lock in the hand, even when soaked with blood.
Handle loops
match finger positions, leading the hand into an optimal hold.
Balanced
weight distribution makes the tool feel natural and stable.
A
spring-loaded hinge opens and closes gently, eliminating snap-back.
Together,
these features transform a single-use item into a dependable, confident
companion in the busiest trauma bay.
Safety and Failure Modes
Though it’s
uncommon, a disposable applicator can fail in a few limited ways:
squeezing
too firmly can break the tip
if the
instrument is tilted, the clip may not lock in uniformly
lower-quality
models let the spring weaken sooner
Smart design
keeps these issues in check:
metallic
hinge joints, molded under pressure, resist cracking
built-in
grooves steer the clip into its final position
mechanical
stops limit the jaw’s closing distance
Before the
procedure, the circulating nurse runs a fast visual check on each tool, and the
tray includes a couple of spares for extra assurance.
Disposal and Environmental Considerations
Every
single-use tool ends up in the landfill, and many notice the layers involved:
the plastic
handle and outer paper wrap
the sterile
inner pouch
the metal
spring, which is hard to break down
To soften
the impact, hospitals are exploring:
take-back
programs that shatter and repurpose the plastic
novel resins
that decompose under landfill conditions
hybrid
designs with a durable metal handle and clip-on, disposable jaws
For the OR
team, however, infection control and patient safety always rank above concerns
about extra waste.
Procurement and OR Workflow
Almost every
hospital now opts for single-use Michel forceps in their operating rooms and
emergency departments. You will find them in:
Michel clip
accessory packages
Emergency
wound care trays
Bulk kits
that include color-coded applicators and sharp removers
After use,
the entire process flows easily:
They go
directly into the sharps container.
Their
barcodes are scanned into the surgical record.
The
hospital’s buying system places the reorder immediately.
This method
guarantees no risk of reuse, offers real-time traceability, and meets legal
standards without additional checks.
Training and Standardization
One of the
quieter advantages of single-use forceps is the level of consistency they
introduce. Reusable models may differ in hinge tightness, wear patterns, and
dimensions, creating small but impactful variations. The disposables, in
contrast, deliver:
Uniformity
across every delivery
Factory-set
calibration for ideal performance
Predictable
handling that speeds up training
Many
hospitals deploy training kits based on synthetic or gelatin models, allowing
staff to refine clip application and removal techniques well in advance of any
live case.
Future Directions for Michel Clip Forceps
The future
for disposable surgical tools is moving quickly, and Michel clip forceps are
advancing right along. Here are the next steps on the roadmap:
Force-sensing
tips that measure and log the pressure applied, providing instant feedback.
Microchips
that log each clip placement directly into digital surgical records.
Versions
crafted from bio-polymers that completely dissolve after disposal.
Magnetic
forceps that precisely grab titanium Michel clips without needing glass trays.
Clips and
forceps in bright colors so the OR team can track each clip during the surgery.
In military
and austere settings, we’re testing fold-flat Michel clip kits that fold away
for fast, lightweight emergency use.
Wrap-Up
A pair of
Michel clip forceps might sit quietly in the drawer, but their impact is loud.
Switching to
fully single-use forceps brings:
Complete
sterility with zero reprocessing worries.
Time savings
that trim overall procedure length.
Lower
exposure risk for patients and staff.
Exact clip
angles for perfect closure.
Compliance
with stricter health and safety rules.
Whether sealing the dura after a craniotomy or closing a pediatric scalp avulsion, these forceps finish the job better, faster, and safer—one flawless clip at a time.
Written by: Beauty Teck