The Takaoka Respirator, or Takaokinha, was a small device that made a large impact on respiratory care, especially in surgery and intensive care. When it was first introduced by Dr. Kentaro Takaoka in 1955, it caused a lot of interest, including that of anesthesiologist, Dr. Allen B. Dobkin. In 1961, Dr. Dobkin wrote about the incredible ease, and portability of the Takaoka in the Canadian Anesthesiology Society Journal:
“It causes little/or no distraction from the immediate attention to the patient, and requires practically no maintenance.”
Due to this glowing review of his invention, Dr. Takaoka gifted Dr. Dobkin this inscribed respirator:
“To Allen B. Dobkin with best wishes from Takaoka”.
Dr. Takaoka would continue to practice and teach anesthesiology until he turned 55 in 1974, wherein he dedicated his time to running the business he began to manufacture his premier invention, now called KTK. Until his death on July 29, 2010, Taoka was a prolific inventor, patenting over 60 apparatus.
Dr. Dobkin was the first chairman for the Department of Anesthesiology at Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York from 1960 – 1973. A pioneer in his own right in anesthesiology, he was the first to administer isoflurane to patients and completed extensive research on enflurane. He passed away December 12, 1978, at 55 years old.
Article written by Macon Elf, Museum Assistant, Wood Library-Museum of Anesthesiology
