Rampley Sponge Forceps 18cm

Overview

The Rampley Sponge Forceps (18cm) is precision-machined from surgical-grade stainless steel with carefully aligned tips for a secure, predictable grip. Whether grasping tissue, holding swabs or achieving haemostasis, the instrument delivers consistent spring tension and tactile control.

The Rampley is the classic sponge-holding forceps of Australian and British practice — the instrument most clinicians picture when a dressing pack or prep tray calls for a sponge holder. This 18cm version is the compact option in our Rampley range, sized for procedure rooms, dressing trolleys and minor operations where a full-length theatre instrument is more than the task requires. Its familiarity is a genuine practical advantage: every nurse and doctor who has opened an Australian dressing pack already knows exactly how it loads, locks and releases.

Ring handles and a graduated ratchet let the operator load a folded gauze swab, lock it, and prep or swab without maintaining grip pressure, while the fenestrated jaws hold the gauze positively through antiseptic solutions and firm contact. The instrument is TGA-registered, made by an ISO 13485-certified manufacturer from surgical-grade stainless steel, and is fully autoclavable for pack-based or tray-based reprocessing alike. The polished finish resists staining from everyday antiseptic solutions when rinsed promptly after each use.

Also known as: Rampley sponge-holding forceps, Sponge holder 18cm, Rampley swab forceps, Dressing pack sponge holder.

Care & sterilisation

Clean promptly after use, paying attention to serrations and box joints. Sterilise in an open position and inspect tip alignment regularly to maintain performance.

Clinical applications

GP clinics · Community nursing · Hospitals · Aged care facilities · Day surgeries · Podiatry clinics · Immunisation and wound clinics

Common procedures

Rampley sponge forceps are used to hold gauze for antiseptic skin preparation before suturing, excisions and injections, for wound swabbing and cleansing during dressing changes, and for handling sterile supplies at the tray. The 18cm size suits superficial and outpatient work where reach requirements are modest.

Recommended users

Practice nurses · General practitioners · Community and aged-care nurses · Podiatrists · Wound care clinicians · Day surgery staff

Buying guide

Pick the 18cm Rampley for outpatient, general practice and community settings where prepping and swabbing are superficial and tray space is tight. If your work involves larger prep fields or you want additional reach, the 21cm Rampley (RSF-SS21) adds working length for only a small price difference. Facilities running theatre-style trays may prefer the Foerster pattern with its serrated oval jaws, available in 20cm and 25cm. Where both patterns are in service, keep them consistently allocated so packs remain predictable for staff.

Care & maintenance

• Cleaning: Release the ratchet and clean the jaws, fenestrations and joint promptly, before antiseptic residue dries; a soft brush clears gauze lint that collects around the jaw edges.
• Sterilisation: Fully autoclavable — sterilise open and dry thoroughly; the instrument suits both individual pouching and inclusion in wrapped dressing sets.
• Maintenance: Inspect the jaw faces and fenestration edges for burrs that could snag gauze, and lubricate the joint after each clean. Confirm smooth ratchet release — a sticking release wastes time mid-procedure.
• Storage: Store unlocked in a dry, dust-free tray or pouch; if kept in prepared dressing packs, ensure packs are stored per your facility's sterile-stock rotation.

• Surgical-grade stainless steel with corrosion-resistant finish
• Precisely aligned serrated or toothed tips
• Consistent spring tension for fatigue-free handling
• Fully autoclavable for repeated sterilisation
• Trusted patterns used across general practice, nursing and theatre settings
• Classic Rampley pattern familiar from Australian dressing packs
• Compact 18cm length suited to dressing trolleys and procedure rooms
• Fenestrated jaws lock folded gauze positively for prepping and swabbing
• Graduated ratchet holds the swab hands-free at the chosen pressure
• TGA-registered and manufactured under ISO 13485 certification

• Familiar Rampley handling — zero re-training when replacing dressing-pack instruments
• 18cm compact build — stores neatly in CSSD wraps and small trays
• Ratchet-locked swab — consistent prep pressure without hand strain
• Autoclavable stainless steel — reusable alternative to single-use plastic holders
• TGA-registered — meets Australian procurement expectations