Bladder punch forceps by Thackray, Leeds, United Kingdom, 1970-1990

Instruments like these are used to take small tissue samples, known as a biopsy. Analysis and testing allows surgeons and medical professionals to make decisions about what treatment can be offered.

This instrument was owned by Mr John Wickham (1927-2017), who specialised in urology and was one of the first cohort in the United Kingdom to carry out and champion keyhole surgery for its patient and surgeon benefits. He coined the phrase minimally invasive surgery and set up the Society of Minimally Invasive Therapy in 1989. Since 2000, SMIT is the Society for Medical Innovation and Technology and continues to bring together surgeons, medics, engineers and medical device developers. John was also among the first to used robotic assisted surgery in his work and introduced shock wave therapy for kidney stones to the United Kingdom.