Undine (medical)
An undine is an ophthalmic irrigation device which was used to trickle a cleansing liquid over the conjunctival surface while controlling the flow with the thumb or finger over the filling hole. It has now been superseded by more modern equipment.[1][2]
The undine is a spherical or pear-shaped glass flask generally about 2 to 3 inches in diameter with a 2 to 3-inch narrowing spout on one side and a collared opening on the top about half an inch wide.[3]
They were used predominantly from the 1930s to the 1960s after which single-use plastic disposable equivalents became available.[4] As glass undines require careful cleaning and sterilization after each use, single-use plastic equivalents were preferred as they are cheaper and require no careful handling.
References[edit]
- ^ Weller, Barbara F. (11 April 2014). Balliere's Nurses' Dictionary (26 ed.). Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 416. ISBN 9780702053733.
- ^ Marsden, Janet (March 1999). Minor Trauma Management. Vol. 6 (10 ed.). University of the West of England. pp. 22 (para 4). ISBN 9780702053733.
- ^ "Undine". Farlex. Retrieved 12 Sep 2017.
- ^ "Undine Eye Irrigator". Museum of Healthcare at Kingston, Canada. 2017. Retrieved 12 Sep 2017.