These objects reveal the varied history of surgical instrumentation. Discover how surgical procedures have evolved and how surgeons have intervened with our bodies.
Surgery
1958-1960
Hip prosthesis, modification of Gosset type (1949). c. 1960, by Lusterlite Products Limited, Leeds, Yorkshire, England,
1790-1831
Cocked hat, beaver, belonging to military surgeon, French, 1790-1831
1901-1950
Pocket instrument set in nickel plated case with chamois leather outer case by J. Gray & Son, Sheffield, first half 20th century
circa 2016
Pair of white wellington boots, worn by pathologists carrying out post-mortem, collected from the Department of Cellular Pathology at the John Radcliffe Hospital, 2016.
1918-1920
One piece of obsidian, possibly used as trephining instrument by Dr. T. Wilson Parry, in experiments on neolithic trephination, England, 1918-1920
1992-1999
Graduated arc for 'Leksell Stereotactic System' cranial measuring instrument by Elekta Instrument AB, Sweden, 1992-99.
PM 40 with disposable scalpel used by pathologist to cut skin during post mortem, collected from the Department of Cellular Pathology at the John Radcliffe Hospital, 2016. PM 40 is the standard cutting scalpel used for post mortem.
1901-1930
4 scalpels and a hernia bistoury, steel, aseptic, in sterilisable case, various makers, early 20th century, military issue
1975-1985
Artificial heart from The Jarvik Artificial Heart System, donated by The Papworth Hospital, c1980. Non clinical use only, not for implant.
1866-1870
Carbolic steam spray used by Lister by D. Marr, English, c. 1867
Chainmail glove, worn by a pathologist to protect their hand when using sharp blades during post-mortem, collected from the Department of Cellular Pathology at the John Radcliffe Hospital, 2016.
Electrical bone saw, used by pathologists to cut open the skull during post mortem, collected from the Department of Cellular Pathology at the John Radcliffe Hospital, 2016.
2017
Medal awarded to a transplant recipient for third place in the over male 60s 1500m race as part of the Westfield Health British Transplant Games, the 40th Transplant Games held in North Lanarkshire, 2017
1876-1900
Green tin, 11 lengths of black sulpho-chromic catgut ligatures, by J.F. Macfarlon, British, 1876-1900
1501-1600
Amputation saw, 16th century, wrought iron and steel
Three plastic specimen containers, used by pathologists to store samples taken from bodies at post mortem, collected from the Department of Cellular Pathology at the John Radcliffe Hospital, 2016.
Waxed post-mortem thread, used by pathologists to sew up the body after post mortem, collected from the Department of Cellular Pathology at the John Radcliffe Hospital, 2016.
1998
Stainless steel 'APR' femur replacement component, distally polished stem, porous coated, by Sulzer Orthopedics Incorporated, Texas, United States, 1998. Sample component, not for implant.
Mounting frame for 'Leksell Stereotactic System' cranial measuring instrument by Elekta Instrument AB, Sweden, 1992-99.
1950
Mortuary crane scales by Salter, Ca.1950. Typical model of mid-1950s. It was probably acquired second hand from a maternity ward as was common practice. These models are still made today (2017).
1851-1900
Forceps, Richet, steel and brass, chromium-plated and gilt, by Collin of Paris, from Charriere, Collin and Gentile collection, c. 1870
2015
3D printed 1:1 model of the abdomen of two year old child prior to a kidney transplant between a father and his two year old daughter, printed using an Objet500 Connex1 with VeroWhitePlus, VeroClear, TangoPlus (photopolymers) at Guys and St Thomas’ Hospital Trust, London, United Kingdom in November 2015 based on a concept by transplant surgeon, Pankaj Chandak, London, UK, 2015
1740-1840
Physician's walking stick, bamboo, pommel consists of carved ivory skull with moveable eyes and jaw, English, 1740-1840
Brain knife used by pathologists to slice thin sections of the brain during post mortem, collected from the Department of Cellular Pathology at the John Radcliffe Hospital, 2016.
Yellow sponge, used by pathologists during post mortem to absorb body fluids, collected from the Department of Cellular Pathology at the John Radcliffe Hospital, 2016.
1771-1830
Case for trephination set, by Sirhenry, French, late 18th century to early 19th century
2000
Plastic syringe, without needle, containing liquid collagen for cosmetic/plastic surgery, by the Collagen Corporation, Palo Alto, California, United States, 2000 (see note).
'Natural Hip', stainless steel, femur replacement component, collared stem, porous coated, by Sulzer Orthopedics Incorporated, Texas, United States, 1998. Sample component, not for implant.
1968-1969
Starr-Edwards mitral and aortic artificial heart valves, used, possibly English, (without bottle), 1968-1969
1880-1920
Set of Heagedorn's suture needles, steel, mounted on a card, English, 1880-1920
One double curved needled and two half curved needles (small and larger), used to sew up the body after post-mortem, collected from the Department of Cellular Pathology at the John Radcliffe Hospital, 2016.
1910-1937
Display set of 6 safety pins by Down Bros. Ltd., English, 1910-1957
1775-1785
Small, ornate circumcision knife with triangular blade and carved, cylindrical ivory handle, c. 1780
1914-1930
Jar containing a half penny removed from stomach of 3 1/2 year old by C. P. G. Wakeley, 1914-1930. Mounted on mica sheet, held in place with cotton thread or twine inside cylindrical jar, with glass cap, sealing wax and printed label describing specimen.
Titanium Inter-Op Hemispherical Shell, hip prosthesis, by Sulzer Orthopedics Incorporated, Texas, United States, 1998.
Pneumothorax apparatus for injecting gas into the thoracic cavity in order to collapse the lung. This was a widely used treatment for TB before the discovery of effective antibiotics. Collapsing the lung allowed it to heal more easily. Made by Genito-Urinary Ltd., London, early 20th century
1951-1992
Ringed titanium hip prosthesis, screw stem with porous cup. From a collection of joint prostheses and associated material, representing joint replacement technology, some of which had been developed at the Orthopaedic Research Unit at the Redhill and Dorking Hospitals, Surrey, 1900-92.
1900-1950
Carton of 100 strands of pink silkworm gut ligature, supplied by R. Whitelaw (Abdn.) Ltd., Scotland, probably early 20th century
Lenticular with wooden handle, part of trephination set by Sirhenry, French
Two tire fonds, steel, part of trephination set by Sirhenry, French
Rugine with wooden handle, part of trephination set by Sirhenry, French
Bone cutting forceps from amputation set
1901-1999
Artificial hip prosthesis, Charnley type, cobalt alloy, by Charles F. Thackray Ltd., mid 20th century
1601-1700
Amputation saw with ivory handle, Spanish, 1601-1700
1890-1910
Spencer Wells artery forceps, screw-joint, plated steel, by Allen and Hanburys of London, c. 1900
1980-1985
Vitallium hip prosthesis with curved slender stem, unsigned, Europe, 1970-1985
Carton of 100 strands of green 'The Saville silkworm gut ligature', supplied by R. Whitelaw (Abdn.) Ltd., Scotland, probably early 20th century
Three amputation knives with wooden handles
Finger saw with wooden handle, from amputation set.
1701-1800
Small amputation saw by Braun, c.1730
