"Potential blockage in the Fallopian tubes was assessed using this apparatus. It was developed by American gynaecologist Isidor Clinton Rubin (1883-1958). It blows carbon dioxide, via a cannula, into the uterus. The ease with which gas escaped through the Fallopian tubes was reflected by pressure changes on an instrument called a manometer. Blockage of the tubes is often due to previous infection or surgery. It is a common cause of infertility. Rubin’s test formed a standard part of infertility investigations for many years. It was gradually replaced by an X-ray technique involving radio-opaque ‘dye’ injected into the uterus." Source: Science Museum Group. Rubin’s apparatus for uterotubal insufflation, New York, United States, 1928. A639503Science Museum Group Collection Online. Accessed 12 June 2024. https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co96774/rubins-apparatus-for-uterotubal-insufflation-new-york-united-states-1928-tubal-insufflator. Model may be dated c1919 or 1920s or 1930s. 1919 was the year Isidor Clinton Rubin (1883-1958) introduced the apparatus. Instrumant has a label with Cyrus Jones monogram " Donated by Dr Lorna Lloyd Green, 1986/ Rubin's Insufflator/ NB "sparklet holder separate" missing?Rubin's tubal insufflator apparatus, large cylidrical glass canister inside a portable carry box with two doors with three glass nozzels at top with long rubber tubing attached on each. One surigical steel introducer, one glass introducer attached. A blood pressure manometer is fixed on the inside door. infertility

Part of a set of laparoscopy equipment donated by Dr Geoff Bishop. Dr Geoffrey Bishop, whilst at the Department of O and G, University of Liverpool, UK, began laparoscopy in 1969. On returning to Australia, Bishop and Grimwade together with Mr Peter Paterson introduced gynaecological laparoscopy to Melbourne, practising at the Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital (QVMH), Melbourne in 1969. The College, through the Victorian State Committee of the Australian Council, RCOG, ran training courses in laparoscopy for local and interstate gynaecologists. These were conducted by Bishop, Grimwade and Paterson. They established protocols, with particular reference to safety, for the conduct of laparoscopy. Laparoscopy was used initially for diagnosis and for limited treatment using diathermy for conditions such as endometriosis. The real impetus came with the great upsurge of tubal sterilization in the early 1970s. Early techniques included diathermy and division of the Fallopian tubes using the Palmer forceps. [Dr Peter Renou, former honorary curator.] This object was used by Dr Geoff Bishop during gynaecological laparoscopic surgery. This instrument is commonly used for suction. It is also used for testing tubal patency by inserting dye through it. Cannula. Consists of a slender shaft with fittings at each end. There are two points for tubal attachments at one end, set into separate small metal tubes at ninety degrees to each other. At the other end, there is a bell cap enclosing a curved nozzle. The nozzle is punctured with six small holes. Manufacturers stamp on plate near the attachment points reads 'PRECIOUS'.infertility, gynaecology

"Potential blockage in the Fallopian tubes was assessed using this apparatus. It was developed by American gynaecologist Isidor Clinton Rubin (1883-1958). It blows carbon dioxide, via a cannula, into the uterus. The ease with which gas escaped through the Fallopian tubes was reflected by pressure changes on an instrument called a manometer. Blockage of the tubes is often due to previous infection or surgery. It is a common cause of infertility. Rubin’s test formed a standard part of infertility investigations for many years. It was gradually replaced by an X-ray technique involving radio-opaque ‘dye’ injected into the uterus." Source: Science Museum Group. Rubin’s apparatus for uterotubal insufflation, New York, United States, 1928. A639503Science Museum Group Collection Online. Accessed 12 June 2024. https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co96774/rubins-apparatus-for-uterotubal-insufflation-new-york-united-states-1928-tubal-insufflator. There is no manometer to monitor gas pressure on this model so it is either incomplete or a manometer was not available in this possibly early model. This device may be dated c1919, 1920s, or 1930s. 1919 was the year Isidor Clinton Rubin (1883-1958) introduced this apparatus. Rubin's tubal insufflator apparatus. Consists of a large cylindrical glass canister, with three glass nozzles at top with long rubber tubing attached to each. The device is inside a portable plywood box with two door. One surgical steel introducer, and one glass introducer, are also attached to the device.

This stamp was part of a series of four stamps released by Royal Mail in 1999 under the subject 'The Patients' Tale'. From British Philatelic Bulletin, Volume 36 February 1999: "This 63P stamp (second step airmail letter rate) recalls techniques developed by British gynaecologist/obstetrician Patrick Steptoe (1913-88) and physiologist Robert Edwards. The popular term ‘test tube’ is inaccurate, the treatment - in vitro fertilization (ivf) involves combining egg and sperm in a glass dish with the resulting embryo being replaced in the womb. Initially developed to treat infertile women, it is now used to help men who produce few or defective sperm. It is estimated that about 7000 ivf babies have been born in Britain over the past five years." This object was retrieved from the mail room by and added to the collection in 1999 by College Archivist, Ros Winspear.A standard size white envelope with an 'AIR MAIL' sticker attached to from bottom proper RH corner, and a square grey, blue and black stamp in upper proper RH corner. The stamp is a Royal Mail Special issue stamp, beaing an image of a sculpture in a foetal position. Text on stamp reads, "63/ Millennium 1999/37/ Test tube baby/ A Gormley". The envelope is addressed to RACOG, and the sender of the envelope was 'FM McKellar/ 2 Norham End/ Norham Road/ Oxford OX205G/ United Kingdom.'in vitro fertilisation (ivf)

Used by Ron Robins for delivery of eggs (30 dozen per box) to the agents for the Victorian Egg Marketing Board, in this case Soding Bros , succeeded by Sympag and Crystal Ice Works, initially to premises at 64 Mostyn St, Castlemaine (now Saffs Cafe) later to premises at south-west corner of Calder Hwy and Lockwood Road, Kangaroo Flat (now Aldi supermarket).Made obsolete by use of trolleys holding 360 dozen eggs, handled into refrigerated transport by a hydraulic tailgate loader. Original label specifies that the eggs are ; infertile; unwashed; not damp cleaned; of specified yolk colour; held at 55 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit and delivered within 96 hours of lay.Significance During the 1950s and 1960s many folk in Harcourt conducted poultry farms of varying sizes, utilising boxes of this type. Harcourt thus became a major producer in the Victorian egg industry. Smaller-scale operations were wiped out when the producers were expected to hold eggs in a coolroom.Illustrates one aspect of the multi-faceted streams of income open to local landowners who conducted an orchard, bred pigs, raised fowls for egg production and kept a few cows for cream production. Wooden box with detachable wooden lid, two internal compartments and a galvanised holder for a card on which the producer has signed a declaration as the condition and handling of the contents.Property of Soding Bros, Melbourne

Part of the laparoscopy equipment donated by Dr Geoff Bishop. Dr Geoffrey Bishop, whilst at the Department of O and G, University of Liverpool, UK, began laparoscopy in 1969. On returning to Australia, Bishop and Grimwade together with Mr Peter Paterson introduced gynaecological laparoscopy to Melbourne, practising at the Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital (QVMH), Melbourne in 1969. The College, through the Victorian State Committee of the Australian Council, RCOG, ran training courses in laparoscopy for local and interstate gynaecologists. These were conducted by Bishop, Grimwade and Paterson. They established protocols, with particular reference to safety, for the conduct of laparoscopy. Laparoscopy was used initially for diagnosis and for limited treatment using diathermy for conditions such as endometriosis. The real impetus came with the great upsurge of tubal sterilization in the early 1970s. Early techniques included diathermy and division of the Fallopian tubes using the Palmer forceps. [Dr Peter Renou, former honoury curator.]Palmer's diathermy forceps. It has two pronds for grasping that retracts with a screw mechanism. Purchased by Geoff Bishop as an additional part of original laparoscopy set, also included in this accession 1999005.laparoscopy, tubal ligation, infertility investigation

Part of the laparoscopy equipment donated by Dr Geoff Bishop. Dr Geoffrey Bishop, whilst at the Department of O and G, University of Liverpool, UK, began laparoscopy in 1969. On returning to Australia, Bishop and Grimwade together with Mr Peter Paterson introduced gynaecological laparoscopy to Melbourne, practising at the Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital (QVMH), Melbourne in 1969. The College, through the Victorian State Committee of the Australian Council, RCOG, ran training courses in laparoscopy for local and interstate gynaecologists. These were conducted by Bishop, Grimwade and Paterson. They established protocols, with particular reference to safety, for the conduct of laparoscopy. Laparoscopy was used initially for diagnosis and for limited treatment using diathermy for conditions such as endometriosis. The real impetus came with the great upsurge of tubal sterilization in the early 1970s. Early techniques included diathermy and division of the Fallopian tubes using the Palmer forceps. [Dr Peter Renou, former honoury curator.]This Spackman's cannula was used by Dr Geoff Bishop during gynaecological laparscopioc surgery.He used this decice as a uterine elevator. Also, for testing tubal patency by inserting dye through it. Manufacturers stamp: ANAX.laparoscopy, tubal ligation, infertility investigation