General Information

Serial #

72691-3/5396

Part Number

1

Total Parts

1

AKA

N/A

Patents

N/A

General Description

Metal, synthetic & possibly leather materials of construction.

Dimensions

Note: These reflect the general size for storage and are not necessarily representative of the object's true dimensions.

Length

175.0 cm

Width

68.0 cm

Height

77.7 cm

Thickness

N/A

Weight

N/A

Diameter

N/A

Volume

N/A

Lexicon

Group

Medical Technology

Category

Medical equipment

Sub-Category

N/A

Manufacturer

AKA

Dexta

Country

United States of America

State/Province

California

City

Napa

Context

Country

Canada

State/Province

Unknown

Period

This chair used 1991+

Canada

Thiis chair believed used with one of the earliest excimer lasers in Canada. It was used by Dr. Marvin Kwitko (1931-2002) in Montreal, PQ.. Dr. Kwitko twice pioneered a new and controversial technique in eye surgery in Canada. In both instances, he championed a surgical technique that was held suspect by the established ophthalmological community, ultimately winning over the community. Both techniques are now practiced widely. In 1967 Dr. Kwitko pioneered lens implant surgery in Canada, performing the first successful series of intraocular lens implants (IOL) surgeries at Bellechasse Hospital, Montreal. He had a 90% success rate at Bellechasse, and was invited by the head of ophthalmology at St. Mary's Hospital to perform the surgery there, despite strong opposition from McGill. One of few surgeons in North America trained to perform IOL implants, Kwitko's work met hostility and opposition from most academic institutions. Ophthalmologists interested in learning the technique and comparing results with others welcomed Kwitko's 1975 conference on IOLs. Attended by over 1000 surgeons, the conference generated interest in a surgical course to teach the technique. Over 350 ophthalmic surgeons from Canada, the U.S. and Europe came to study under Kwitko in Montreal between 1975 and 1983. By then the technique had been widely adopted, and was being taught in medical schools.

Function

To safely and comfortably support patient undergoing laser eye surgery, in a manner which is favourable to the surgeon.

Technical

This model of chair was designed and marketed specifically for use in laser eye surgery. (Ref. 3)

Area Notes

Unknown

Details

Markings

"DEXTA" printed in black on both sides of chair, and in grey on foot pedal casing. Decal applied to chair frame, below back support reads "DEXTA/ CORPORATION/ 962 KAISER RD./ NAPA, CALIF./ 94558/ MODEL MK 80LS/610 XYZ/ SERIAL 072691-3/#5396/ 115 VOLTS 5.6 AMPS/ 60 Hz 1Ph." Decal applied to chair base reads "FORM/ 2164/ [logo]/ northAmerican [registered trademark symbol]/ HIGH VALUE PRODUCTS/ CONTRACT #265285/ PIECE 2 OF 3/ DEST. CITY MONTREAL ST. [illegible]/ [barcode]/ 015940567-A".

Missing

Appears complete.

Finish

Metal base has light grey enamel painted finish; silver metal frame and components. Medium grey leather or synthetic covering on chair body, including head and arm rests. Clear synthetic sheet covers most areas of leg support. Black synthetic covered cable connects chair base to grey metal & synthetic foot pedal.

Decoration

N/A