Laminaria tent in sterile package, which consists of a short, solid, cylindrical piece of seaweed with a flat, round, plastic disc attached perpendicularly near one end; the small area of seaweed above the disc has a small hole through the seaweed to allow the attachment of a string; the other end …
Laminaria tent in sterile package, which consists of a short, solid, cylindrical piece of seaweed with a flat, round, plastic disc attached perpendicularly near one end; the small area of seaweed above the disc has a small hole through the seaweed to allow the attachment of a string; the other end of the piece of seaweed has a rounded tip; the laminaria tent is sealed in a paper and plastic package that has a rectangular-shaped paper bottom and a piece of thin, clear plastic at the top; all four edges of the top are sealed onto the bottom, creating a sterile package.
Number Of Parts
1
Provenance
Owned and used by Dr. Paul MacKenzie at Kingston General Hospital.
The bottom of the package has "MADE IN JAPAN" stamped onto it.
Permanent Location
Storage Room 0010
0010-D8-12
Dimension Notes
Length 13.3 cm x Width 7.5 cm x Depth 1.4 cm
Condition Remarks
The laminaria tent is unused and undamaged and sealed in a sterile package; the package shows some wear in the form of folding, but is complete.
Copy Type
Original
Reference Types
Person
Reference Comments
Dr. Robert Reid; Dr. Paul MacKenzie
Research Facts
The seaweed is used to dilate the cervix, usually for a dilatation and curettage and / or an abortion.
Not many medical devices have been made from seaweed. But laminaria, or “sea-tangle” tents, were a standard part of the obstetrician's armamentarium in the late 19th and early 20th century. These slim cylinders, measuring 5–10 cm long, were dried stalks of the marine plant, Laminaria digitata. Inserted into the cervical canal, they absorbed water and slowly expanded, dilating the cervix. Laminaria tents were used to induce labour in non-urgent situations, such as anticipated cephalo-pelvic disproportion. Long before it became an issue for the natural birth movement, non-urgent induction was a controversial procedure. British obstetricians tended to support such intervention, but many of their Continental colleagues disagreed, preferring to risk the perils of obstructed labour rather than interfere with nature.