FRI-15 THE INTRODUCTION OF THE CYSTOSCOPE TO THE BRITISH ISLES

Abstract

You have accessJournal of UrologyHistory of Urology I (Podium)1 Apr 2014FRI-15 THE INTRODUCTION OF THE CYSTOSCOPE TO THE BRITISH ISLES Jonathan Patrick Noël and Jonathan Charles Goddard Jonathan Patrick NoëlJonathan Patrick Noël More articles by this author and Jonathan Charles GoddardJonathan Charles Goddard More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2014.02.1733AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail Introduction and Objectives A great challenge in the history of urology has been to visualise the urinary tract through the natural orifice of the urethra. We describe early pioneers of endoscopy in the British Isles and the evolution to modern cystoscopy. Methods In 1844, John Avery, a surgeon at London's Charing Cross Hospital attempted to view the urethra via a Palmer’s lamp reflector (used by miners) to intensify and redirect candle light onto a speculum's mirror. In 1865, the Dublin urologist, Sir Francis Cruise introduced an improved version of the Desormeaux endoscope enabling him to perform some of the first endoscopic treatments including urethrotomies. However, even with the 'gasogene’ lamp, light intensity and excess heat was a problem. In 1867, Mr Archer Warwick of London presented a simple endoscope using natural north light allowing urethral, but limited bladder vision. Cystoscopy progressed with the invention of the incandescent light bulb by Sir Joseph Swan of Newcastle and Edison of America. David Newman of Glasgow used this new technology in early 1883 enabling him to catheterise female ureters under vision.. In 1887 both Nitze and Leiter used the Edison bulbs in the first practical cystoscopes. Results Sir Henry Thompson used the Desormeaux, Cruise and Warwick instruments and introduced the original Nitze-Leiter scope to Britain in 1880. He reviewed cystoscopes in a lecture at University College London in 1888 stating that “it will not be necessary very frequently to employ the apparatus”. However, Edwin Hurry Fenwick of The London Hospital disagreed, predicting the new cystoscope would become “rapidly popular”. Taking the best of the Nitze and Leiter models, he showed its use in the diagnosis of urethral, bladder and renal diseases; promoting its advantage over sounding, bimanual and open digital examination of the bladder. Conclusions The addition of the Swan/Edison lamps changed the cystoscope from experimental to workable instruments; but the invention of the rod lens by English scientist Harold Hopkins in the 1950’s made the cystoscope the fundamental instrument of a urologist. From light reflectors to the rod lens, the British Isle urologists promoted and contributed to the development of today's cystoscopic technology. © 2014FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 191Issue 4SApril 2014Page: e625-e626 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2014MetricsAuthor Information Jonathan Patrick Noël More articles by this author Jonathan Charles Goddard More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...