Item:
HORTON INTERCOUPLER

Date of manufacture:
1950s

Manufacturer:
OHIO CHEMICAL COMPANY

Description:
When cyclopropane became available as an anaesthetic, its great disadvantage was that typical anaesthetic mixtures of cyclopropane and oxygen are explosive and these mixtures can be ignited by static discharges. To improve safety, hospitals were required to employ antistatic precautions in all operating theatres on the lines of those in force in munitions factories. Floors had to be laid with antistatic materials, electrical supplies were controlled using mercury switches and theatre drapes had to be manufactured of cotton. Theatre ventilation was controlled to provide more than 50% humidity to ensure the cotton retained its antistatic properties. The Horton Intercoupler was an attempt to provide some protection from static electricity in locations where full antistatic provisions was not available. The theatre team and essential equipment were inter-coupled using this device. Each cable has a large resistance in series with it within the container to minimise the risk of electrocution whilst still dissipating static charge. Equipment such as the operating table and the anaesthetic machine are connected by spring clips, while personel have metal mesh ribbons wrapped around wrists or ankles.

Category:
ELECTRICAL SAFETY/EXPLOSIONS

Accession Nr.:
20110014.

Discussion:

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