Health Sciences · Mount Sinai Hospital · Mount Sinai Pathology Lab · UTSIC
A grey coloured instrument with a rectangular footprint and a console on its slightly sloped front face. On the left of the console is a recording system with a dial and a small transparent window. This mechanism curves representing red cell osmotic fragility onto paper tape. To the right of this are several knobs and switches.
At the top of the instrument is a panel that can be removed using two captive nuts. At the centre of this panel is a removable metal cap resembling a knob. Removing this panel reveals the glass container cell in which a sample of blood is analyzed. There is a second panel with four captive nuts on the right side of the instrument that opens onto the same mechanism. There is a carrying handle on the lower portion of each side of the instrument.
Accession Number: 2022.MTS.3
Alternative Name:
Primary Materials: Iron Alloy, Glass
A metal label pasted to the top-right corner of the top surface of the instrument reads as follows: “KALMEDIC INSTRUMENTS INC.// A SUBSIDIARY OF D. KALTMAN & CO. INC.// 425 PARK AVENUE/ New York, N. Y. 10022// 212 PLAZA 2-3000”
A maker’s label at the rear of the instrument lists the following serial number: “1613”
Dimensions (cm): Height = 20, Width = 44, Length= 40..
This instrument is used to determine the relative fragility of the cell walls of red blood cells in a sample. It can be used, for instance, to diagnose some hereditary blood diseases or to determine the condition of a blood stored for transfusion.
The instrument uses an optical system to detect and record the degree of haemolysis in a sample of blood diluted in a salt solution. It also records the salt concentration of the sample. The data is provided on a paper printout.
The surface of the instrument is somewhat dirty and has patches of discoloration that likely superficial. The rubber tubing within the instrument appears have dried out and is likely fragile. There is some superficial rust on the fasteners at the rear of the instrument
Associated Instruments:
Elron Electronic Industries Ltd, Haifa, Israel
Date of Manufacture: c. 1960s.
The Mount Sinai Pathology Lab collection was transferred from a display case on the 6th floor of Mount Sinai Hospital (600 University Ave. Toronto, On) over several days in mid-December 2020.
David Danon. (1967), The Fragiligraph and its Application. British Journal of Haematology, 13: 61-67.
Historical Notes:
- Donated to UTSIC