Blair-Brown skin graft knife with shield consists of a stainless steel skin graft knife (a) with a handle and a thin shaft with a short rectangular blade on it; there is a cylindrical guard (b) which slides over the shaft and a perforated metal sheath (c) which covers the blade.
Blair-Brown skin graft knife with shield consists of a stainless steel skin graft knife (a) with a handle and a thin shaft with a short rectangular blade on it; there is a cylindrical guard (b) which slides over the shaft and a perforated metal sheath (c) which covers the blade.
Number Of Parts
3
Part Names
a - knife
b - guard
c - sheath
Provenance
Skin graft knife was used by Dr. A. R. Tilly for plastic surgery; Dr. Tilly gave knife to Dr. J. W. Kerr.
"DOWN BROS LONDON" printed on the shaft; "FOR STROPPING ONLY" printed on guard
Permanent Location
Storage Room 0010
0010-E5-6
Length
a - 30.2 cm
b - 19.4 cm
c - 19.5 cm
Width
a - 2.6 cm
c - 3.3 cm
Depth
a - 1.0 cm
c - 1.1 cm
Diameter
b - 0.6 cm
Unit Of Measure
centimeters
Condition Remarks
Grease located on blade; minor wear to entire artifact.
Copy Type
Original
Reference Types
Book
Internet
Reference Comments
"Surgical Instruments & Hospital Equipment," 23rd ed., Downs Surgical PLC, Surrey, ca. 1982, p. H7
"A Comprehensive Guide to Purchasing: Hospital-Professional Instruments-Equipment-Supplies," V. Mueller Co., 1956, p.131
"Evolution of instruments for harvest of the skin grafts" Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery 46(1):28-35 · March 2013
Research Facts
Dr. Tilly was a plastic surgeon. Vilray Papin Blair in 1930 had developed a skin graft knife that came into general use and the grafts were removed with the aid of a suction apparatus that permitted placing the skin under tension. Plastic surgeons became experienced at removing grafts freehand and at controlling the depth by varying the angle of the knife in relation to the skin. Large grafts representing a major portion of the inner aspect of the thigh were removed freehand with great skill by these experts.
Exhibit History
On loan to Queen's University School of Medicine third floor for an exhibit L-2013-6,