Instrument, Surgical

Object Name:

Instrument, Surgical

Object ID:

2014.001

Creator:

Frederick Geiger, Inc.Manufacturer

Place of Origin:

Philadelphia, PA

Date:

circa 1950

Description:

Electromagnetic surgical instrument, manufactured by Frederick Geiger, Inc., Philadelphia, PA, c. 1950. Used at Sacred Heart Hospital or Notre Dame Hospital in Manchester, NH, prior to 1974. In original case, with foot-operated switch and three tips. Apparently used for removing shrapnel and other metal bits from patients. In working condition.

A. Electromagnet. Cylindrical stainless steel body. 10" long x 2.8" diam. Conical front end with threaded receptacle for three different tips. Back end stamped "F. GEIGER - PHILA."; attached metal plate imprinted "UNH" in blue and stamped "0091". Black electrical cord at back end, with receptacle on end.

B. Foot-operated switch. Rectangular black pedal, stamped "F. GEIGER", connected to on/off switch. Black electrical cord with receptacle on one end and three-prong plug on other.

C. Conical, pointed steel tip with threaded end. 1.7" long x 0.85" diam.
D. Flattened steel tip with threaded end. 2.6" long x 0.85" diam.
E. Narrow, curved steel tip with threaded end. 2.7" long x 0.85" diam.

F. Rectangular wooden box with black faux leather covering. 12" wide x 8" deep x 8" high. Interior compartments with purple fabric covering. Electrical receptacle on exterior left side, marked "110 V. A.C." Electrical receptacle on exterior right side, marked "MAGNET". Hinged cover with leather handle and two metal clasps. Adhesive tape on top of cover, inscribed in black marker, "Surgery - O.R. CMC / Large Magnet".

Material:

Steel

Dimensions:

L-10 Dia-2.8 inches

Provenance:

Sacred Heart Hospital (founded 1892) and Notre Dame Hospital (founded 1894) merged in 1974 to form Catholic Medical Center. Sally Kelly was an operating room nurse at Catholic Medical Center from 1979 to 2009. She acquired the instrument c. 2000 when the hospital was disposing of old equipment. She never saw this instrument used during her tenure.

Credit Line:

Gift of Sally Kelly

Subjects:

Surgical instruments, Hospitals