Dr. Kenji Takagi (1888–1963), the surgeon of primacy in the development of the arthroscope, stimulated Masaki Watanabe to perfect and attract the interest of orthopedic surgeons to arthroscopy. Takagi was Emmeritis Professor at Tokyo University. Owing to lack of funds in the 1930s it was not possible to publish color photographs of his work. The task remained for his pupil Watanabe to publish two editions of an atlas of superbly photographed arthroscopies performed in the interval between 1957 and 1969. Takagi not only designed the ar-throscope, but also made it available for practical use. His design included 11 types of optical tools, several designs of trochar, as well as various accessories. In 1932, Takagi succeeded in photographing on black and white film through the arthroscope operations on the inside of the knee joint, and in 1936, Takagi and associates made color photographs and motion pictures through the arthroscope. One version of the film was released with a sound track of symphony orchestra music. The instruments were on display at the International World exhibit in Paris in 1937. Takagi's arthroscope was eventually approved as a pan endoscope for cavities other than the knee joint. In fact, Takagi employed it for myeloscopic purposes in cases of spina bifida, as well as those involving nearly every joint in the body. He continued to make improvements in the instruments until he died in 1963. Marshall R. Urist, M.D.
Copyright remains with the authors and publisher.
Dr. Kenji Takagi (1888–1963), the surgeon of primacy in the development of the arthroscope, stimulated Masaki Watanabe to perfect and attract the interest of orthopedic surgeons to arthroscopy. Takagi was Emmeritis Professor at Tokyo University. Owing to lack of funds in the 1930s it was not possible to publish color photographs of his work. The task remained for his pupil Watanabe to publish two editions of an atlas of superbly photographed arthroscopies performed in the interval between 1957 and 1969. Takagi not only designed the ar-throscope, but also made it available for practical use. His design included 11 types of optical tools, several designs of trochar, as well as various accessories. In 1932, Takagi succeeded in photographing on black and white film through the arthroscope operations on the inside of the knee joint, and in 1936, Takagi and associates made color photographs and motion pictures through the arthroscope. One version of the film was released with a sound track of symphony orchestra music. The instruments were on display at the International World exhibit in Paris in 1937. Takagi's arthroscope was eventually approved as a pan endoscope for cavities other than the knee joint. In fact, Takagi employed it for myeloscopic purposes in cases of spina bifida, as well as those involving nearly every joint in the body. He continued to make improvements in the instruments until he died in 1963. Marshall R. Urist, M.D.
Copyright remains with the authors and publisher.