General Information

Serial #

N/A

Part Number

1

Total Parts

1

AKA

N/A

Patents

N/A

General Description

Metal body and chain; synthetic wire covering

Dimensions

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

Length

105.0 cm

Width

N/A

Height

N/A

Thickness

N/A

Weight

N/A

Diameter

3.7 cm

Volume

N/A

Lexicon

Group

Medical Technology

Category

Chemicals & medications

Sub-Category

N/A

Manufacturer

AKA

OHIO

Country

United States of America

State/Province

Wisconsin

City

Madison

Context

Country

Canada

State/Province

Quebec

Period

Unknown

Canada

Part of a collection of medical technologies donated to the Canada Science and Technology Museums Corporation by the Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society. Used in Montreal.

Function

To prevent ignition of anesthetic vapors.

Technical

“In 1938, the Lahey Clinic created a blue-ribbon panel to investigate the causes and means of prevention of anesthetic explosions. Dr. Joseph Warren Horton (1889-1967), a biological engineer, was chosen to lead the panel. As a result of this work, he invented the Horton Intercoupler in 1939. The Intercoupler acted as a grounding device to prevent ignition of anesthetic vapors by static sparks in the operating room. One of the grounding leads was attached to the anesthesia machine, another to the operating table, one to the patient's gown; the far end of the chain rested on the floor. The first new generation of non-explosive anesthetics was introduced in the 1950s. In the 1970s, standards were revised to ban flammable anesthetics were from U. S. hospitals. Safety codes continue to govern the use of oxygen and electrical equipment in medical facilities.” (ref.2)

Area Notes

Unknown

Details

Markings

On top end of device: "HORTON INTERCOUPLER/ 1612/ MFD. BY/ THE OHIO CHEMICAL AND MFG. CO./ MADISON/ WISCONSIN/ U.S.A."/ Scratched into side of object: "SLATER"

Missing

Appears complete

Finish

Silver coloured metal finish with black wires

Decoration

N/A