Grünfeld Instruments

GRÜNFELD INSTRUMENTS (Grün-feld), a set for endourethral diagnosis and therapy. The first attempts to illuminate the urethra for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in gonorrhea and other diseases of the canal date to the beginning of the 19th century. However, only Grünfeld succeeded in constructing a satisfactory instrument (1881). Grünfeld's urethroscope consists of cylindrical tubes of different calibers with a funnel-shaped expansion at the outer end. The lumen of the tubes is closed by an inner cylinder, so-called obturator, or

mandrel (see figure 1). Grünfeld used reflected peripheral light, and therefore the images obtained were unclear due to insufficient illumination. For us, the urethroscope of Grünfeld has only historical interest, whereas a number of instruments from his set are used for endourethral diagnosis and therapy to this day. Among them, we can mention a tampon holder for wiping the lumen of the canal from mucus, pus, etc. (see figure 2), a cauterizer for melted lunar caustic, a knife for opening abscesses (see figure 3), forceps, scissors (see figure 4), a loop (see figure 5), brushes, etc. The design

of most of them is visible in the figures. Grünfeld's instrumentation requires special technique for its use. It should be added, however, that in experienced hands, endourethral therapy gives brilliant results in the treatment of protracted gonorrhea.

and I. Shshov.