Hyfrecator, which consists of an electric instrument housed in a rectangular plastic box with a metal base; the top of the hyfrecator has an intensity dial which can be turned to the right from 0 to 100; below the dial is an attached piece of round green plastic; the left side has four plugin sites…
Hyfrecator, which consists of an electric instrument housed in a rectangular plastic box with a metal base; the top of the hyfrecator has an intensity dial which can be turned to the right from 0 to 100; below the dial is an attached piece of round green plastic; the left side has four plugin sites (for attachments now missing); the right side has two metal hooks attached to it (use?); the bottom has two electric cords leading out of it; one cord has an electric plug at the end; the other cord has a foot pedal at the end; electric desiccator.
Box top reads, "HYFRECATOR // BIRTCHER"; the pedal reads, "BIRTCHER"; the base of the hyfrecator has a label which reads, "Birtcher // HYFRECATOR // REG US PAT OFFICE // MODEL X-712 // Serial HC97B1189 // 110/120 VOLTS 12 AMPERES 50/60 CYCLES // MFD IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA // THE BIRTCHER CORPORATION LOS ANGELES 32 // US PATENT NO D114.628"; instructions for safely operating the hyfrecator follow
Permanent Location
Storage Room 0010
0010-F5-4
Dimension Notes
Length: 13.0 cm. x Width: 19.8 cm. x Depth: 8.4 cm.
Condition Remarks
The hyfrecator shows no cracks, breaks or excessive wear in the plastic or metal; there appear to be some pieces of the machine missing
Copy Type
Original
Reference Types
Book
Document
Reference Comments
See #1 in artifact listing provided by Dr. Danby; "Hospitals and Physicians Equipment and Supplies," The J. F. Hartz Co., Toronto, 1960, p. 92
Wikipedia
Research Facts
A hyfrecator is a low-powered medical apparatus used in electrosurgery on conscious patients, usually in an office setting. It is used to destroy tissue directly, and to stop bleeding during minor surgery.
Early model hyfrecator used for electrodesiccation of skin tumours and warts; Birtcher Model X-712
The word hyfrecator is a portmanteau derived from “high-frequency eradicator.” It was introduced as a brand name for a device introduced in 1940 by the Birtcher Corporation of Los Angeles.[1] Birtcher also trademark registered the name Hyfrecator in 1939, and rights to the registered trademark were acquired by ConMed Corporation when it acquired Birtcher in 1995.