recording sphygmomanometer
Datecirca 1925
Inventory Number2010-1-0020
ClassificationSphygmomanometer
Subject
Maker
Taylor Instrument Companies
1851 - 1992
User
Harvard Medical School
founded 1782
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Place of Use
Dimensions24.5 × 39.5 × 20 cm (9 5/8 × 15 9/16 × 7 7/8 in.)
Material
Accessoriesstored within the case: paper recording chart, a length of flexible hose, a bulb and glass container with red recording ink
DescriptionA recording Sphygmomanometer, used to detect and record changes in human blood pressure. Device is housed in an aluminum instrument case with a black finish, supported on four small rubber feet. The case has two hinges and two latches.
The case lid has a pair of metal brackets which secure a heavy leather carrying strap attached by two buckles. A removable chart case with push button release is secured inside the case lid, but the box has no charts inside. Printed on the box in white lettering is, "Chart Box Release." Inside the lid next to the chart box is a flat metal bracket that secures a spring on one end. The other end moves freely, and is positioned to press on a spindle-mounted circular recording chart when the lid is in the closed position. A curved metal sliding limiter bracket positioned on the left side of the case, prevents the case lid from opening at more than a 90° angle.
One used recording chart is in place on the spindle. There are four (4) photocopies of the chart on the machine. These are now in the instrument's file. Two extra recording styluses are stored in a black plastic case held in a wood holder at the lower front of the case. Also stored there is a glass bottle of red ink (very dry), with a rotating bracket which holds it in place. The spring of the apparatus that holds the ink bottle in place is no longer tight, and the bracket moves freely. A light-colored cloth arm cuff, two lengths of flexible black rubber tubing and a hand-operated rubber air pressure bulb are stored in a well at the left of the case. The material of the tube and pressure bulb are deteriorating.
In addition to the accessory storage well, the top face of the instrument has a rotating turntable with two spindles which holds the paper recording chart and a recording arm with an inked tip, which moves laterally to mark the chart; the chart is printed with a grid, labeled in an inner and outer ring from 0-290 in increments of 10.
The recording arm is set in motion by a brass mechanism mounted to the left of the turntable, partially visible as it protrudes through an opening in the top face of the case. A brass loop extends over the turntable, protecting the recording arm.
A black circular knob and rotating dial are set in the top of the case, marked in white, "MAKE ADJUSTMENTS / IN ACCORDANCE WITH PULSE RATE," and marked around the dial, "50 / 70 / 90 / 110 / 130 / 150 / 170."
On the front of the instrument are two circular knobs with rotating dials, one marked, "CONTROL VALVE / INFLATE / DEFLATE," OSCILLOMETER / ON / OFF"; there are also three hose connection valves marked, "LOWER CHAMBER, " "UPPER CHAMBER, " and "JS-503 / BULB ATTACHMENT."
The case lid has a pair of metal brackets which secure a heavy leather carrying strap attached by two buckles. A removable chart case with push button release is secured inside the case lid, but the box has no charts inside. Printed on the box in white lettering is, "Chart Box Release." Inside the lid next to the chart box is a flat metal bracket that secures a spring on one end. The other end moves freely, and is positioned to press on a spindle-mounted circular recording chart when the lid is in the closed position. A curved metal sliding limiter bracket positioned on the left side of the case, prevents the case lid from opening at more than a 90° angle.
One used recording chart is in place on the spindle. There are four (4) photocopies of the chart on the machine. These are now in the instrument's file. Two extra recording styluses are stored in a black plastic case held in a wood holder at the lower front of the case. Also stored there is a glass bottle of red ink (very dry), with a rotating bracket which holds it in place. The spring of the apparatus that holds the ink bottle in place is no longer tight, and the bracket moves freely. A light-colored cloth arm cuff, two lengths of flexible black rubber tubing and a hand-operated rubber air pressure bulb are stored in a well at the left of the case. The material of the tube and pressure bulb are deteriorating.
In addition to the accessory storage well, the top face of the instrument has a rotating turntable with two spindles which holds the paper recording chart and a recording arm with an inked tip, which moves laterally to mark the chart; the chart is printed with a grid, labeled in an inner and outer ring from 0-290 in increments of 10.
The recording arm is set in motion by a brass mechanism mounted to the left of the turntable, partially visible as it protrudes through an opening in the top face of the case. A brass loop extends over the turntable, protecting the recording arm.
A black circular knob and rotating dial are set in the top of the case, marked in white, "MAKE ADJUSTMENTS / IN ACCORDANCE WITH PULSE RATE," and marked around the dial, "50 / 70 / 90 / 110 / 130 / 150 / 170."
On the front of the instrument are two circular knobs with rotating dials, one marked, "CONTROL VALVE / INFLATE / DEFLATE," OSCILLOMETER / ON / OFF"; there are also three hose connection valves marked, "LOWER CHAMBER, " "UPPER CHAMBER, " and "JS-503 / BULB ATTACHMENT."
Signedmetal plate on top of instrument: Tycos, TAYLOR INSTRUMENT COMPANIES
Inscribedhandwritten on top of case: Dr. Homans;
inside lid: Chart Box Release;
on recording chart: TYCOS RECORDING SPHYGRMOMANOMETER / COPYRIGHT 1925 TAYLOR INSTRUMENT COMPANIES, ROCHESTER, N.Y. U.S.A. / Chart 12002 / DR. A. LEVIN'S PATENT NO. 1,532,705 / APRIL 7, 1925 / FOREIGN APPLICATIONS AND PATENTS / Patient _____ / Date _____;
the chart is printed with a grid, labeled in an inner and outer ring from 0-290 in increments of 10.
top of case on adjustment knob: MAKE ADJUSTMENTS / IN ACCORDANCE WITH PULSE RATE," and marked around the dial, "50 / 70 / 90 / 110 / 130 / 150 / 170
on metal plate on top of instrument: Tycos / RECORDING SPHYGRMOMANOMETER / DR/ A. LEVIN'S PATENT APRIL 7, 1925/OTHER PATENTS APPLIED FOR/TAYLOR INSTRUMENT COMPANIES/ROCHESTER, N.Y. U.S.A./TORONTO, CANADA;
on front of instrument, knob marked: CONTROL VALVE / INFLATE / DEFLATE;
on front of instrument, knob marked: OSCILLOMETER / ON / OFF;
three hose connection valves marked: LOWER CHAMBER / UPPER CHAMBER / JS-503 / BULB ATTACHMENT.
Curatorial RemarksTwo handwritten paper tags are attached to the device, one older, one newer.
The newer tag reads, "Gift of Reiner Beeuwkes / Nov. 17, 2010," and on the reverse side, "Tycos / Recording / Sphygmomanometer / Taylor / Instrument / Companies."
The older tag reads, "Save for Dr. Beeuwkes / Personal Property."
FunctionUsed to detect and record changes in human blood pressure.
ProvenanceDr. Rainer Beeuwkes of the Harvard Medical School rescued this equipment from Prof. McMahon's Laboratory, HMS, Department of Physiology ca. 1991. He donated it to the Collection in 2010.
Friez Instrument Division, Bendix Aviation Corporation
Date: circa 1956
Accessories: one used Taylor Instrument Companies paper chart and cardboard box; recording charts, Air Ministry, Meteorological Office, Form 4213, Barogram (18); one used "Self Recording Thermometer" chart. Richard Brothers Manu. PS Paris. "Blue-hill Meteorological Observatory"; one set of "Instructions for the Installation of Charts", Bendix Aviation Corporation, Friez Instrument Division, Baltimore 4, Maryland; Friez I.B. No. 165/Friez Part No. 509673-B
Object number: 1996-1-0190b
Friez Instrument Division, Bendix Aviation Corporation
Date: circa 1950
Accessories: piece of chart paper
Object number: 2024-1-0011
Richard Frères
Date: circa 1890
Accessories: Brass Recording drum with graph paper "8 JOURS/MT ROND/ECHAPT/XXXXXX/ANCRE" scratched in faintly "IXL1654 just below the A of ANCRE; ink stylus on arm,
Object number: 1996-1-0198
Julien P. Friez & Sons
Date: circa 1920
Accessories: hair recording hygrometer
Object number: DW0639
W. Watson & Sons Ltd.
Date: circa 1885
Accessories: oculars (2 pairs): B and D; objectives in marked canisters (4): 1/4, 1/2, 1, 3 inches; condenser with iris diaphragm; rotating wheel diaphragm; iris diaphragm; set of 4 disk diaphragms in brass box; triple nosepiece; live box; prisms for Wenham binocular system (2); stage for simple microscope with rotating wheel diaphragm; vulcanite stage; spare knobs (2); parts box; case
Object number: 1249
Weathertronics
Date: circa 1960
Accessories: two inkbottles; 6 pens;1 package of charts (obtained from Robert E. White Instruments, Inc. Boston, Tel. 617- 742-3045)
Object number: 1999-1-0042
Seth Thomas Clock Company
Date: circa 1899
Accessories: paper on drum; keys; miscellaneous parts in box, box is marked "Glass Pens for the / Draper Anemoscope, and / Other Recorders. / Serviceable. / 1949"
Object number: 1998-1-0132c
Crosby Steam Gage & Valve Company
Date: c. 1880s - 1930s
Accessories: one tablet indicator diagram cards titled: INDICATOR DIAGRAM / TAKEN WITH THE CROSBY STEAM ENGINE INDICATOR. 1 x 7.6 x 17.s cm
Object number: 2013-1-0005