Reflex Hammer & Tuning Fork in Diagnostics
The neurological reflex hammer is used for reflex testing as part of the initial neurological examination. By testing the reflexes, conclusions can easily be drawn about nerve damage to the spinal cord nerves. Depending on the design, the reflex hammer may contain other neurological-diagnostic instruments, such as brushes or pins as well as different rubber attachments. In addition, some models can be used as percussion hammers to assess organs by tapping sound.
For Medical Students Learning the Neurological Examination Technique
Especially for medical students in the preclinical phase or during a clinical traineeship, checking one's own and others' reflexes is one of the most important diagnostic methods to be learned. To assess the reflexes, which are sometimes difficult to trigger, it is advisable to always work with the same set of instruments. Using your own hammer facilitates the triggering of reflexes, for example the Troemner reflex or the Masseter reflex. The absence of these reflexes is usually due to poor performance of the reflex test. Many reflex hammers have very compact dimensions and a low weight so that a combination hammer can be easily carried in the gown pocket.
Reflex Hammers According to Babinski, Buck, Trömner & Taylor
The Babinski reflex hammer has a special, plate-shaped functional head and a pin that retracts into the handle. Among other things, it is also used as a percussion hammer for tapping organs and examining pain and touch sensations. The Buck reflex hammer has a hammer head with a small rubber insert on one side and a large rubber insert on the other.
There are differences between different models of Buck hammers. For example, the Buck reflex hammer both has a pin and a built-in brush, while the Buck reflex hammer from Luxamed only comes with a pin for sensitivity testing on the skin and is particularly light with a weight of 90 g.
The neurological Trömner reflex hammer has a hammer head with a larger and a smaller end. In addition, it is also equipped with a neurological pin and brush so that it can be used to perform sensitivity tests and check skin reflexes. Trömner reflex hammers are also available in heavier versions such as the Trömner reflex hammer from Luxamed which weighs 245 g. Taylor reflex hammers have a monofilament that can be retracted into the plastic handle and a hammer insert made of firm rubber for checking reflexes. Due to the triangular shaped rubber head, Taylor reflex hammers can usually also be used as percussion hammers.
For reflex diagnostics with small patients, you will also find various children's reflex hammers from Pediapals in our range, which are particularly suitable for examining anxious children due to their child-friendly design.
Tuning Forks for ENT & Neurology
The medical tuning fork is also a diagnostic instrument that is used in neurology or ENT, depending on the design. The tuning fork can be used to test either the hearing or the vibration sensation of a patient and thus provide conclusions about potential diseases such as hearing loss. The tuning fork from Christopherus CBC, for instance, is a versatile medical fork with a frequency of 440 Hz which assists in the examination of the air conductivity and bone conductivity of sound. It is suitable for testing the mobility of the ossicular chain as well as for testing hearing with the Rinne and Weber approach. If you are looking for a practical set, the medical tuning fork set from KaWe for sensitivity testing is a great choice as it comes with 5 aluminium forks with various frequencies (128 Hz, 256 Hz, 512 Hz, 1024 Hz, 2048 Hz).
Neurological Sensitivity Testing Devices
Medical sensitivity testers can be used to diagnose dysfunctions in the surface sensitivity of the skin, such as limitations in temperature sensation or two-point discrimination. Disturbances in this area can, for example, be an indication of the presence of nerve damage, such as polyneuropathy.
Whether reflex hammer, tuning fork for neurological testing and percussion, or inexpensive student set for medical studies - in our online shop for medical supplies you will find your suitable diagnostic instrument! In addition to hammers and tuning forks, we also offer stethoscopes and other devices and aids for basic diagnostic equipment.