Health Sciences · Robert W. Jackson Arthroscopy
An optical instrument incorporating three hinged segments with an eyepiece on one end and a spring-loaded clamp on the other that is designed to retain the eyepiece of a standard arthroscope. A window on the opposite side of the clamp allows the arthroscope operator a normal view through the arthroscope’s eyepiece. This arrangement allows for a second view through an attached eyepiece without relatively little impediment to the operator of the arthroscope.
A small switch on the eyepiece allows the user to choose between a 50/ 50 beam splitter and a 90/ 10 beam splitter. This controls the amount of light that is diverted to the second eyepiece.
Accession Number: 2021.JAC.131
Alternative Name:
Primary Materials: Steel, Glass
The following is written on the handle: “STORZ Germany 29020 HOPKINS”
Not that “HOPKINS” indicates that the instrument incorporates the Hopkins rod lens system.
(Folded for compactness) Height = 4, Width = 28, Length = 12.
An Articulated Viewing Device (AVD) is an optical attachment for an arthroscope that permits a second viewer, typically a student, to share the operator’s view without significantly impeding the operator’s movements. The second eyepiece can also be used for video recording.
This device was designed before the widespread dissemination of relatively light CCD cameras that could easily send the arthroscopic view to a video screen. However, it did carry certain advantages over mounting a camera (at least a relatively early generation of CCD camera) directly to the arthroscope. (See the Historical Notes field for details.)
This item appears to be fully functional and is in good cosmetic condition. It has a white deposit, presumably dried adhesive, around the perimeter of the eyepiece.
Associated Instruments:
Manufacturer: KARL STORZ company, Tuttlingen, Germany
Date of Manufacture: c. 1970s
The Robert W. Jackson Arthroscopy Collection was acquired by the University of Toronto from Dr. Jackson’s family on November 12th, 2020.
Lanny L.. Johnson (1986). Arthroscopic Surgery : Principles & Practice. 3rd. ed. St. Louis: Mosby.
Articulated optical devices such as this one were developed early in the evolution of arthroscopic technology. They improved on rigid beam splitters, such as the original Watanabe 90° adapter, which were first devised to give students a view of the arthroscopic procedure. Articulated devices could be adapted to attach a larger video camera directly to the arthroscope. Surgeon Lanny Johnson described using such an arrangement in the operating room with a video camera attached to the ceiling with a pistoning vertical mount. Even with the availability of early CCD cameras, which were of relatively low mass compared to existing video tube cameras, this arrangement had advantages. The AVD eyepiece was still less massive than a CCD coupled to the arthroscope lens. The operator could remove his/ her hand without the assembly falling to the floor. The arrangement could also be controlled with a single hand. [Johnson 1986, 193-194]
Note that the STORZ AVD was also sold in a version with five articulations rather than three. This is shown in Johnson 1986, 193. Johnson notes that the image produced by this model was not as bright due to the more complex light path.
- Donated to UTSIC