A trephine is a serrated blade used to remove a circle of tissue or bone used as a treatment throughout human history. Professor Parapia discusses technological advances in aspiration and trephine biopsy needles. The film features rare silver crown trephines from the 1700s through to today’s disposables.
The collector
For over 40 years Professor Liakat Ali Parapia has collected antique microscopes and medical equipment. His fascination with the history of haematology grew alongside his career as a research director and consultant haematologist in Bradford.
Today Professor Parapia owns over 100 rare and fascinating artefacts from early brass microscopes to serrated crown trephines and early aspiration needles. Every piece played a role in the development of haematology treatment and research over the last century.
View more of Professor Parapia's collection:
Klima's pattern, 1949
© L A Parapia
Klima's sternal needle
© L A Parapia
Winged aspiration needle, 1950s
© L A Parapia
Waterfield needle
© L A Parapia
Gardner's trephine needle, 1960s/70s
© L A Parapia
Gardner's trephine needle (close up), 1960s/70s
© L A Parapia
Jamshidi trephine biopsy needle, 1971
© L A Parapia
Islam trephine needle, 1971
© L A Parapia
Salah aspiration needle
© L A Parapia
Modern disposable Jamshidi needle
© L A Parapia
Marrow infusion needle
© L A Parapia
Bone drill
© L A Parapia