A handheld metal detector is only one of the many types of metal detectors available in the market today.  It uses the technology of electromagnetic induction in order to locate metal.  Among its many functions, the handheld metal detector can also be used to locate numerous foreign items in the human body.  This includes bullets, metallic fragments, ingested coins, and other foreign objects.  Because of the use of handheld metal detectors, metallic objects are now rapidly detected, therefore facilitating medication.  Also, it is considered to be very practical since it is not costly, does not expose patients to radiation, and very easy to use.

Its origins can be traced back to the year 1881, when after US President James Garfield’s shooting, Alexander Graham Bell was asked by the president’s surgeons to use the device to find the embedded bullet.  Although Bell’s crude contraption failed to locate the bullet (the depth was not within the range of the device), this still paved the way to future medicinal endeavors using the handheld metal detector.

Lately, handheld metal detectors have been used successfully to locate swallowed or inhaled objects, and other physically hidden items.  The use of handheld metal detectors is usually advisable when all other imaging modalities are expensive and unavailable.  Other imaging modalities might also need further specialized analysis, and some expose patients to radiation.  On the other hand, handheld metal detectors are inexpensive, accessible, very easy to use, and noninvasive on the part of the patient.

The handheld metal detector is used to specifically locate the following:

·    The handheld metal detector is used in medical and surgical procedures.

Using handheld metal detectors to locate deeply rooted orthopeadic hardware is beneficial because it does not utilize ionizing radiation.  Also, metal detectors have been used to accurately pinpoint hard to find intraoral and facial metallic items to assist surgical removal.  It can also be used to locate metallic foreign items implanted in the feet or chest.  Specialized handheld metal detectors are also useful in locating very small objects that enter the eye.

·    Locating swallowed objects like coins.

The use of handheld metal detectors to locate ingested coins is one of the most common functions.  Compared to radiographs, handheld metal detectors are inexpensive and using such can save a tremendous amount.  It is also proven effective in the localization of ingested coins.

·    Other swallowed objects.

In the case of locating items made of thin aluminum, using the handheld metal detector is more effective than radiographs, as thin aluminum tend to be radiolucent.

·    Studying the gastrointestinal tract.

Investigators use handheld metal detectors to track down swallowed metal-containing capsules in the gastrointestinal tract.  This is useful in developing medicinal studies such as knowing the gastric emptying time of certain foods, the effect of different laxatives on colonic transit time, and the influence of diabetes on gastrointestinal transit times.

Overall, the handheld metal detector is really not just a device that is used for treasure hunting or as a security measure.  It has its place in the field of medicine.  And although it is not wholly accepted by medicine practitioners, the handheld metal detector has its possibilities and potential of being one of the most important devices in medicine.