Society of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) Collection
Category
Diagnostic & Treatment Artifacts
Classification
Gynaecology
Accession Number
007023003
Description
Bipolar electrosurgical forcep with a gun-shaped handle and rod portion covered with a semi-opaque white plastic; sheathed rod containing metal wires with a pair of unsheathed pincer ends protruding; flat piece of semi-opaque white plastic has hole cut out for trigger; small red button on top of ha…
Bipolar electrosurgical forcep with a gun-shaped handle and rod portion covered with a semi-opaque white plastic; sheathed rod containing metal wires with a pair of unsheathed pincer ends protruding; flat piece of semi-opaque white plastic has hole cut out for trigger; small red button on top of handle; built in wiring cut off at bottom of handle; parts are screwed on through recessed holes; without manufacturers marks.
Number Of Parts
1
Provenance
Designed and prototype used by Dr. Jacques-Emile Rioux, MD, MPH, FACOG.; part of the SOGC historical collection.
Date of third evolution of this style of prototype, second in the gun handle style. The designer, Dr. Rioux, provided date of this prototype.
Material
plastic: white, red, black
metal: silver, white
Permanent Location
Storage Room 0010
0010-D7-10
Dimension Notes
Length 36.2 cm x Width 12.7 cm x Depth 2.8 cm
Condition Remarks
Shows some wear around edges and minor discolouration around seams from use.
Copy Type
Original
Reference Types
Book
Document
Internet
JPG
Reference Comments
"Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology Canada," Oct. 2006, pp 909-12; both hard copy and from journal Web site; "Electrical Considerations of Laparoscopic Sterilization" in The Journal of Reproductive Medicine, Oct. 1973, Vol. II No. 4; CD #2.
Research Facts
This gun-style of handle was considered to be too military looking, and was the second style in the evolution of the gun handle protoypes. First bipolar electrosurgical forceps prototype designed by Canadian Dr. Rioux, who is acknowledged as the first doctor to bring this technique to Canada. Rioux trained at Laval, Quebec and at Johns Hopkins, US also in Paris, France under Dr. Raoul Palmer who used only unipolar electrosurgical forceps (1967-68) in endoscopic surgeries / laparoscopies. Rioux performed the first of these at Johns Hopkins in 1968. Instrument is used for OB/GYN laparoscopic surgeries such as an electrocoagulation of the tubes for sterilization, where a pure coagulating current was applied and burned the tube, instead of previously burning through other areas. Several research articles concerning this Canadian invention by Dr. Rioux, and on the designer are located in the donor file.
Exhibit History
S.O.G.C. Headquarters in Ottawa, Ontario exhibit "Safe Laparoscopic Tubal Sterilisation: A Made-in-Canada Solution"--May 28, 2008 - May 30, 2010