Routine Surgery
By the 1970s and 1980s open-heart surgery, including replacing and repairing heart valves, had become common in large hospitals that specialized in cardiac surgery. The development of new technologies and hundreds of new instruments designed specifically for open-heart surgery made this possible.
Debakey Multi-Purpose Vascular Clamp
Around 1983
Dr. Michael DeBakey, a leading cardiac surgeon, designed surgical devices throughout his career.
Gift of Pilling Weck
Gerbode's Modified Burford Rib Spreader
Around 1983
Rib spreaders or retractors were introduced during the first decade of the 20th century. This instrument is made of non-glaring stainless steel.
Gift of Pilling Weck
