An antique Potain Aspirator a system designed for relieving fluid build up in the body, principally in the bladder and a significant surgical advance at the time, dating from the 19th century.
 
The Potain Aspirator is a significant piece of 19th-century medical history, representing a major leap forward in cardiology and respiratory medicine. Invented in 1869 by the renowned French physician Dr. Pierre Carl Édouard Potain (1825–1901), it was designed to solve a life-threatening problem: the safe removal of fluid from the chest and heart cavities.Here is a breakdown of its history and function to help you draft your sales copy.Historical SignificanceBefore Dr. Potain’s invention, draining fluid from the pleural cavity (around the lungs) or the pericardium (around the heart) was a high-risk procedure. Traditional methods often introduced air into these cavities, leading to collapsed lungs or severe infection.Potain, a professor at the Faculty of Medicine in Paris and a pioneer in cardiovascular research, developed this "closed" suction system to prevent these complications. It became the gold standard for treating pleural effusion and empyema for over half a century.How it WorkedThe set typically consists of a hand-operated metal pump, a series of needles or trocars, and a specialized "two-way" stopcock.The Vacuum Principle: The doctor would use the pump to create a vacuum inside a glass bottle.The Procedure: Once a vacuum was established, a needle was inserted into the patient. Opening the stopcock allowed the negative pressure in the bottle to gently "draw" out pus, blood, or excess fluid without ever exposing the internal cavity to the outside air.Safety: Because the septic liquid passed directly from the body into the vessel through rubber hoses, the risk of cross-contamination was significantly reduced.
 
This example is in a leather case and is almost complete, it has the six needles and one space, these are retained on a felt base which lifts off to access a small space beneath. The case has a padded silk lid and felt needle base and the rest is red leather, the case is solid. The syringe is made from nickel plated brass, there is some minor wear to the nickel plating.
 
This is untested and is offered as a medical curiosity.
The case measures 25.5 x 11.5 x 4.2cm (10" x 4.5" x 1.75").