Health Sciences · Hospital for Sick Children · UTSIC
An oblong metal instrument with a matte black finish and a prominent dial on its upper-right face. The dial, which has a white background, has two needles that register blood pressure and oscillation amplitude respectively. On its sloping left side of the instrument is a lidded compartment that opens to reveal a rubber bulb and tube. The bottom of the instrument is lined with green felt.
This example is missing an inflatable cuff, which would have been stored in the compartment. It has the message “CARDIOLOGY R-4515” written in large black lettering on the bottom felt surface.
Accession Number: 2024.sk.3
Alternative Name:
Primary Materials: Iron Alloy, Rubber
Stamped on the inner surface of the compartment lid: “N 2209”
A white fabric label on the left side has the following handwritten information: “CARDIOLOGY// R-4575”. The same information is written on the bottom felt surface in black ink.
A silver label affixed to the inner lid reads: “CAUTION// Do not remove cuff or break hoses while// inflated. Deflate only with bleed valve// Avoid exposure to excessive heat.”
Height = 6.5, Width = 35, Length = 11.5,
The sphygmo-osscilometer measures the amplitude of fluctuations (oscillations) in blood pressure, as well as blood pressure itself.
This example was likely used to monitor the condition of a patient under general anesthesia.
This artifact is in reasonably good cosmetic condition but may be incomplete. The surface is dirty, scuffed and abraded in places. Paint is missing in several small patches. There is a yellowish deposit along the rim of the bottom edge and on the back surface. The rubber bulb and tubing are brittle and are cracked in places. They were not removed from the compartment due to their apparent fragility.. The pressure cuff necessary to use this instrument appears to be missing.
Associated Instruments:
Manufacturer: U. M. A. Inc. New York, NY
Date of Manufacture: Mid 20th c.
Provenance:
UMA Instruments Inc. “About Us” commercial webpage. (archived December 29, 2024)
The National Museum of American History (NMAH) has a well-catalogued and complete example of a similar instrument that includes details of its invention:
National Museum of American History, “nmah_736714. Collens Sphygmo-Oscillometer.” (archived December 29, 2024)
The Collens Sphygmo-Osscilometer was developed by Dr. William S. Collens (1897-1971), who spent much of his career at Maimonides Hospital in Brooklyn, NY.
U. M. A. Inc. was founded in New York, NY in 1936. Its first product was the Collens Sphygmo-Osscilometer.