Silver

Silver is a chemical element with symbol Ag (from the Latin argentum, derived from the Greek
: "shiny" or "white") and atomic number 47. A soft, white, lustrous transition metal, it
exhibits the highest electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and reflectivity of any metal.
The metal is found in the Earth's crust in the pure, free elemental form ("native silver"), as an
alloy with gold and other metals, and in minerals such as argentite and chlorargyrite. Most silver
is produced as a byproduct of copper, gold, lead, and zinc refining.

Silver has long been valued as a precious metal. Silver metal is used in many bullion coins,
sometimes alongside gold: while it is more abundant than gold, it is much less abundant as a
native metal. Its purity is typically measured on a per-mille basis; a 94%-pure alloy is described
as "0.940 fine". As one of the seven metals of antiquity, silver has had an enduring role in most
human cultures.

Silver is used in numerous applications other than currency, such as solar panels, water filtration,
jewellery, ornaments, high-value tableware and utensils (hence the term silverware), and as an
investment medium (coins and bullion). Silver is used industrially in electrical contacts and
conductors, in specialized mirrors, window coatings, and in catalysis of chemical reactions. Silver
compounds are used in photographic film and X-rays. Dilute silver nitrate solutions and other
silver compounds are used as disinfectants and microbiocides (oligodynamic effect), added to
bandages and wound-dressings, catheters, and other medical instruments.

Uses[edit]

Placement of a catheter into a particular part of the body may allow:

"uretic catheter": draining urine from the urinary bladder as in urinary catheterization, e.g., the
intermittent catheters or Foley catheter or even when the urethra is damaged as in suprapubic
catheterisation.

drainage of urine from the kidney by percutaneous (through the skin) nephrostomy

drainage of fluid collections, e.g. an abdominal abscess

administration of intravenous fluids, medication or parenteral nutrition with a peripheral venous

catheter

angioplasty, angiography, balloon septostomy, balloon sinuplasty, cardiac electrophysiology

testing, catheter ablation. Often the Seldinger technique is used.
direct measurement of blood pressure in an artery or vein

direct measurement of intracranial pressure

administration of anaesthetic medication into the epidural space, the subarachnoid space, or
around a major nerve bundle such as the brachial plexus

administration of oxygen, volatile anesthetic agents, and other breathing gases into the lungs
using a tracheal tube

subcutaneous administration of insulin or other medications, with the use of an infusion set and
insulin pump

A central venous catheter is a conduit for giving drugs or fluids into a large-bore catheter
positioned either in a vein near the heart or just inside the atrium.

A Swan-Ganz catheter is a special type of catheter placed into the pulmonary artery for
measuring pressures in the heart.

An embryo transfer catheter is designed to insert fertilized embryos from in vitro fertilization
into the uterus. They may vary in length from approximately 150 to 190 mm (5.9 to 7.5 in).

An umbilical line is a catheter used in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) providing quick access
to the central circulation of premature infants.

A Tuohy-Borst adapter is a medical device used for attaching catheters to various other devices.

A Quinton catheter is a double or triple lumen, external catheter used for hemodialysis.

An intrauterine catheter, such as a device known as a 'tom cat', may be used to insert specially
'washed' sperm directly into the uterus in artificial insemination. A physician is required to
administer this procedure.