Ombrédanne Inhaler
Louis Ombrédanne (1871-1956), a French surgeon, published a paper detailing his new ether inhaler in 1908. He listed a number of flaws in the Clover inhaler that were surmounted by his design. The Ombrédanne Inhaler became very popular, especially in obstetrics and military anesthesia. It continued in use as late as the Falklands War.
Catalog Record: Ombredanne Inhaler
Access Key: aini
Accession No.: 2000-06-08-1
Title: [Ombredanne ether inhaler / designed by Louis Ombredanne.]
Author: Ombredanne, Louis, 1871-1956.
Title variation: Alt Title
Title: Ombrédanne ether inhaler.
Title variation: Alt Title
Title: Ombredanne’s inhaler.
Publisher: France : Collin Depose, [1908-1940].
Physical Description: 1 inhaler : brass, copper ; 15 x 11 x 20 cm.
Subject: Inhalers, Anesthesia – France.
Subject: Ether, Ethyl.
Subject: Anesthesia, Inhalation.
Subject: Military Medicine.
Note Type: General
Notes: Title from the WLM name for the object.
Note Type: Citation
Notes: Plötz J. Der Ätherinhalator nach Louis Ombrédanne: Anmerkungen zu seiner
Karriere ausserhalb Frankreichs und zu seinem Erfinder. Anaesthesist.
2001;50(8):605-611.
Note Type: Citation
Notes: Thomas KB. The Development of Anaesthetic Apparatus. Oxford: Blackwell
Scientific, 1975:35-39.
Note Type: Physical Description
Notes: The inhaler is composed of a spherical brass body and copper oronasal-mask;
When facing the mask and inhaler (from a patient’s perspective), on the most
distal side of the sphere is a 5 cm opening in the sphere for ether soaked
sponge or fabric (this inhaler is missing the cap for this opening); On the
top of the sphere is a 6 cm control knob with a moving pointer; Turning the
knob directs the tip of the pointer along a scale numbered 0-8, in increments
of one; At the bottom of the sphere protrudes an approx 2 cm, threaded
opening for a rebreathing bag; Manufacturer’s markings on the sphere: “COLLIN
[new line] DEPOSE [new line] No 9344”; The copper (or copper alloy) mask has
two 2.5 cm rings at each side; The most proximal edge of the mask is shaped
for a tight fit found the patients nose and mouth ; Manufacturer’s marking on
the mask: “COLLIN [new line] DEPOSE [new line] FRANCE”.
Note Type: Reproduction
Notes: Photographed by Mr. William Lyle, 7/27/2010.
Note Type: Historical
Notes: In 1908, Louis Ombredanne, a French surgeon, published a paper detailing his
new inhaler and it’s design (Obredanne, 1908). He listed a number of flaws in
the Clover inhaler that his design surmounted (Thomas, 1975). The Ombredanne,
which was used to administer ether, became very popular, especially in
obstetrics and military anesthesia, and was used up until the second World
War (Plötz, 2001).
Note Type: Publication
Notes: Barry CT. The Ombredanne inhaler. Anaesthesia. 1961;16(2):184-187.
