Health Sciences · Hospital for Sick Children
A red rubber endotracheal tube in a clear sleeve. The tube has a overall “S” shape. There is an inflatable sleeve at the distal end. A narrow tube that is used to inflate the sleeve runs to the proximal end of the tube. It separates from the main tube near the proximal opening.
The sleeve also contains a paper instructional sheet.
Accession Number: 2025.sk.73
Alternative Name:
Primary Materials: Latex.
Printed on one side of tube: “FEMALE I.D. 7.5 mm”, “RÜSCH WEST-GERMANY”. Black handwritten text is smudged and illegible.”
Printed on opposite side: “MOD KUHN 4 E V”
Dimensions (cm): Height = 9, Width = 1, Length = 21.
An endotracheal tube provides a temporary artificial airway for a patient under general anesthesia. This example, like most such tubes, has an inflatable collar that is used to seal the tube against trachea.
The accompanying instructional sheet notes the following: “The Kuhn Anatomical Endotracheal Tube is intended for those cases in which the patient is in the supine, reclining-head position for such procedures as strumectomies, operations of the thorax, abdomen, extremities, etc. It is particularly advantageous during lengthy procedures.”
This model of tube came in two varieties, a male variety with an 8.5 mm internal diameter and a female model with a 7.5 mm internal diameter. This is the model.
This artifact is intact and in good condition. The tube has light discolouration along edges and recesses.
Associated Instruments:
Willy Rüsch AG. Rommelshausen (Kernen im Remstal), Germany
Date of Manufacture: c. 1970s to 1990
Provenance:
C. M. Ball, R. N Westhorpe, and P. J Featherstone (2014). “The Evolution of the Rubber Endotracheal Tube.” Anaesthesia and Intensive Care (United States) 42, no. 4 : 435–36.
A. Thierbach,(20021) “Franz Kuhn, His Contribution to Anaesthesia and Emergency Medicine.” Resuscitation 48, 3: 193–97.
Rod Westhorpe (1991) “Kuhn’s Endotracheal Tube.” Anaesthesia and Intensive Care 19, 4
Dr. Franz Kuhn (1866 to 1929) was a German pioneer of anesthesia. He developed a flexible metal endotracheal tube that historian Rod Westhorpe considers “… probably the true forerunner of the endotracheal tube as we know it today.” (See Westhorpe 1991, 489).
This tube is likely an evolved version of that initial design.