Scrutinises surgical instruments (6)

I believe the answer is:

probes

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'surgical instruments' is the definition.
(probe is a kind of surgical instrument)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for probes that I've seen before include "Conducts penetrating investigation" , "Examines carefully as dentist does a bad tooth" , "Investigates as dentist does tooth" , "Examines as dentist does decaying tooth" , "Investigates closely" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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