Inside a fluid-filled joint, a dropped fragment is a lost fragment. That single fact shapes how arthroscopy grasping forceps are built. Peak Surgicals stocks two patterns, Meniscus Grasping Forceps 105mm (PS-8702, $66.00) and Alligator Forceps 3.4mm (PS-8703, $94.48), in German stainless steel and CE marked and built under ISO 13485. Compare both patterns in the grid below.
Interlocking Teeth or Backward-Angled Teeth?
Jaw pattern is the first decision, and the two patterns here do opposite things. A 1×2 interlocking tooth jaw, as on Meniscus Grasping Forceps 105mm (PS-8702, $66.00), closes tooth-between-teeth on a defined bite of tissue. That is what meniscal work needs: a positive hold on a flap or a torn edge so it can be presented to a punch or a shaver without the tissue rolling out of the jaw.
An alligator jaw works differently. Its teeth run in a row and angle backwards along the jaw, so grip tightens as the instrument is drawn out rather than loosening. Alligator Forceps 3.4mm (PS-8703, $94.48) is built for retrieval, where a loose body or a fragment of cartilage has to travel the length of a cannula without slipping. Forward-facing teeth would release it halfway. We supply both patterns at MOQ 1.
Ratchet, and Why Shaft Diameter Is Set by the Cannula
Whether a grasper ratchets matters more in a joint than it does in open surgery. A ratcheted handle holds the bite without the hand, so the surgeon can reposition, bring in a second instrument or change the camera view while the fragment stays captured. Alligator Forceps 3.4mm (PS-8703) is supplied without a ratchet, which trades that security for instant release: the jaw opens the moment the hand relaxes, and near articular cartilage that immediacy can be the safer property.
Shaft diameter is the other constraint, and it is set by the cannula rather than the tissue. Arthroscopic graspers run from around 2.0mm to 3.5mm, and the instrument has to pass the working portal cleanly. A 3.4mm shaft suits standard knee and shoulder portals; smaller joints need the finer diameters.
Material, Reprocessing and Certification
Both patterns are forged from German stainless steel, passivated for corrosion resistance and finished to reduce glare under the arthroscope. The inspection point is the jaw and the shaft: check every tooth under magnification for blunting or a missing tip, because a grasper that slips inside a joint drops what it is holding into a space that is difficult to search. Sight down the shaft against a straight edge, since a bent shaft will not pass a cannula cleanly, and work the handle through full travel to confirm the jaw opens and closes without binding. Clean immediately with a neutral-pH enzymatic solution, brushing between the teeth and along the shaft, then rinse with deionised water and dry fully before autoclaving at 134°C.
These are Class I reusable devices, CE marked and built under ISO 13485, with a one-year warranty. We ship at MOQ 1 with free shipping over $99, and OEM production is available. See Meniscus Surgery Instruments for the wider meniscal range, or browse all Arthroscopy Instruments. Talk to us about OEM terms.
Alligator Forceps | Meniscus Grasping Clamp 105mm
