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Review
. 2022 Jan 20;12(1):1-19.
doi: 10.5662/wjm.v12.i1.1.

Ophthalmological instruments of Al-Halabi fill in a gap in the biomedical engineering history

Mohamed N Saad  1
Affiliations
Review

Ophthalmological instruments of Al-Halabi fill in a gap in the biomedical engineering history

Mohamed N Saad. World J Methodol. .

Abstract

Al-Halabi is an intriguing ophthalmologist who invented numerous surgical instruments for treating various eye diseases. The illustrations of such instruments in his invaluable book "Kitab Al-Kafi fi Al-Kuhl" reflect his willingness to teach. Moreover, he included in his book a magnificent illustration of the anatomical structure of the eye. The book reflects Al-Halabi's medical practice and teaching and shows several advanced medical techniques and tools. His invaluable comments reflect his deep experimental observations in the field of ophthalmology. The current article provides proof that Al-Halabi is one of our early biomedical engineers from more than 800 years ago. Al-Halabi represents a ring in the chain of biomedical engineering history. His surgical instruments represent the biomechanics field. Al-Halabi should be acknowledged among the biomedical engineering students for his various contributions in the field of surgical instruments.

Keywords: Al-Halabi; Biomedical engineering education; Biomedical engineering history; Ophthalmological instruments.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict-of-interest statement: There is no conflict of interest associated with the single author contributed his efforts in this manuscript.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Ophthalmological instruments from Al-Halabi’s book, the Istanbul manuscript of the Süleymaniye Kütüphanesi, Yeni Cami 924. Citation: Sezgin F, Neubauer E. Volume IV: Catalogue of the collection of instruments of the institute for the history of Arabic and Islamic sciences. In: Sezgin F. Science and technology in Islam. Frankfurt am Main, Germany: Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science, 2010: 6. Copyright ©The Author(s) 2010. Published by Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science (Institut für Geschichte der Arabisch-Islamischen Wissenschaften). The author has obtained the permission for figure using from the Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science (Institut für Geschichte der Arabisch-Islamischen Wissenschaften) (Supplementary Material).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Rose leaf needle (instrument number 7 in Figure 1) used in treatment of trachoma, lagophthalmos, symblepharon, hemangioma at the eyelid, and sebaceous cyst. Citation: Sezgin F, Neubauer E. Volume IV: Catalogue of the collection of instruments of the institute for the history of Arabic and Islamic sciences. In: Sezgin F. Science and technology in Islam. Frankfurt am Main, Germany: Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science, 2010: 45. Copyright ©The Author(s) 2010. Published by Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science (Institut für Geschichte der Arabisch-Islamischen Wissenschaften). The author has obtained the permission for figure using from the Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science (Institut für Geschichte der Arabisch-Islamischen Wissenschaften) (Supplementary Material).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Scraper (instrument number 19 in Figure 1) for scratching scabies and for digging out concretions. Citation: Sezgin F, Neubauer E. Volume IV: Catalogue of the collection of instruments of the institute for the history of Arabic and Islamic sciences. In: Sezgin F. Science and technology in Islam. Frankfurt am Main, Germany: Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science, 2010: 49. Copyright ©The Author(s) 2010. Published by Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science (Institut für Geschichte der Arabisch-Islamischen Wissenschaften). The author has obtained the permission for figure using from the Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science (Institut für Geschichte der Arabisch-Islamischen Wissenschaften) (Supplementary Material).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Lancet with rounded tip (instrument number 20 in Figure 1) used in treatment of chalazion, chemosis, lipoma, blepharitis, concretions, hypopyon, headache, and cataract. Citation: Sezgin F, Neubauer E. Volume IV: Catalogue of the collection of instruments of the institute for the history of Arabic and Islamic sciences. In: Sezgin F. Science and technology in Islam. Frankfurt am Main, Germany: Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science, 2010: 49. Copyright ©The Author(s) 2010. Published by Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science (Institut für Geschichte der Arabisch-Islamischen Wissenschaften). The author has obtained the permission for figure using from the Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science (Institut für Geschichte der Arabisch-Islamischen Wissenschaften) (Supplementary Material).
Figure 5
Figure 5
Scissors (Miqrad) (instrument number 2 in Figure 1) used in treatment of concretions, ectropion, stye, hordeolum, lacrimal caruncle swelling, pannus, pterygium, hemangioma, iris prolapse, and headache. Citation: Sezgin F, Neubauer E. Volume IV: Catalogue of the collection of instruments of the institute for the history of Arabic and Islamic sciences. In: Sezgin F. Science and technology in Islam. Frankfurt am Main, Germany: Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science, 2010: 48. Copyright ©The Author(s) 2010. Published by Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science (Institut für Geschichte der Arabisch-Islamischen Wissenschaften). The author has obtained the permission for figure using from the Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science (Institut für Geschichte der Arabisch-Islamischen Wissenschaften) (Supplementary Material).
Figure 6
Figure 6
Sickle (instrument number 21 in Figure 1) for splitting adhesions between the two eyelids. Citation: Sezgin F, Neubauer E. Volume IV: Catalogue of the collection of instruments of the institute for the history of Arabic and Islamic sciences. In: Sezgin F. Science and technology in Islam. Frankfurt am Main, Germany: Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science, 2010: 52. Copyright ©The Author(s) 2010. Published by Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science (Institut für Geschichte der Arabisch-Islamischen Wissenschaften). The author has obtained the permission for figure using from the Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science (Institut für Geschichte der Arabisch-Islamischen Wissenschaften) (Supplementary Material).
Figure 7
Figure 7
Myrtle leaf needle (instrument number 10 in Figure 1) used in treatment of symblepharon, and pterygium. Citation: Sezgin F, Neubauer E. Volume IV: Catalogue of the collection of instruments of the institute for the history of Arabic and Islamic sciences. In: Sezgin F. Science and technology in Islam. Frankfurt am Main, Germany: Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science, 2010: 47. Copyright ©The Author(s) 2010. Published by Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science (Institut für Geschichte der Arabisch-Islamischen Wissenschaften). The author has obtained the permission for figure using from the Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science (Institut für Geschichte der Arabisch-Islamischen Wissenschaften) (Supplementary Material).
Figure 8
Figure 8
Spear (instrument number 9 in Figure 1) used in treatment of symblepharon, ectropion, and sebaceous cyst. Citation: Sezgin F, Neubauer E. Volume IV: Catalogue of the collection of instruments of the institute for the history of Arabic and Islamic sciences. In: Sezgin F. Science and technology in Islam. Frankfurt am Main, Germany: Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science, 2010: 45. Copyright ©The Author(s) 2010. Published by Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science (Institut für Geschichte der Arabisch-Islamischen Wissenschaften). The author has obtained the permission for figure using from the Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science (Institut für Geschichte der Arabisch-Islamischen Wissenschaften) (Supplementary Material).
Figure 9
Figure 9
Gatherer (instrument number 28 in Figure 1) used in treatment of distichiasis. Citation: Sezgin F, Neubauer E. Volume IV: Catalogue of the collection of instruments of the institute for the history of Arabic and Islamic sciences. In: Sezgin F. Science and technology in Islam. Frankfurt am Main, Germany: Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science, 2010: 53. Copyright ©The Author(s) 2010. Published by Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science (Institut für Geschichte der Arabisch-Islamischen Wissenschaften). The author has obtained the permission for figure using from the Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science (Institut für Geschichte der Arabisch-Islamischen Wissenschaften) (Supplementary Material).
Figure 10
Figure 10
Pointed cautery (instrument number 31 in Figure 1) for cauterizing the places of superfluous eyelashes after they have been pulled out. Citation: Sezgin F, Neubauer E. Volume IV: Catalogue of the collection of instruments of the institute for the history of Arabic and Islamic sciences. In: Sezgin F. Science and technology in Islam. Frankfurt am Main, Germany: Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science, 2010: 51. Copyright ©The Author(s) 2010. Published by Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science (Institut für Geschichte der Arabisch-Islamischen Wissenschaften). The author has obtained the permission for figure using from the Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science (Institut für Geschichte der Arabisch-Islamischen Wissenschaften) (Supplementary Material).
Figure 11
Figure 11
Scissors (Miqass) (instrument number 1 in Figure 1) used in treatment of distichiasis. Citation: Sezgin F, Neubauer E. Volume IV: Catalogue of the collection of instruments of the institute for the history of Arabic and Islamic sciences. In: Sezgin F. Science and technology in Islam. Frankfurt am Main, Germany: Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science, 2010: 46. Copyright ©The Author(s) 2010. Published by Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science (Institut für Geschichte der Arabisch-Islamischen Wissenschaften). The author has obtained the permission for figure using from the Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science (Institut für Geschichte der Arabisch-Islamischen Wissenschaften) (Supplementary Material).
Figure 12
Figure 12
Cautery (instrument number 30 in Figure 1) used in treatment of dacryocystitis. Citation: Sezgin F, Neubauer E. Volume IV: Catalogue of the collection of instruments of the institute for the history of Arabic and Islamic sciences. In: Sezgin F. Science and technology in Islam. Frankfurt am Main, Germany: Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science, 2010: 43. Copyright ©The Author(s) 2010. Published by Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science (Institut für Geschichte der Arabisch-Islamischen Wissenschaften). The author has obtained the permission for figure using from the Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science (Institut für Geschichte der Arabisch-Islamischen Wissenschaften) (Supplementary Material).
Figure 13
Figure 13
Drill (instrument number 12 in Figure 1) for cleaning the entire corner of the eye. Citation: Sezgin F, Neubauer E. Volume IV: Catalogue of the collection of instruments of the institute for the history of Arabic and Islamic sciences. In: Sezgin F. Science and technology in Islam. Frankfurt am Main, Germany: Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science, 2010: 43. Copyright ©The Author(s) 2010. Published by Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science (Institut für Geschichte der Arabisch-Islamischen Wissenschaften). The author has obtained the permission for figure using from the Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science (Institut für Geschichte der Arabisch-Islamischen Wissenschaften) (Supplementary Material).
Figure 14
Figure 14
Scissors (Kaz) (instrument number 5 in Figure 1) used in treatment of pannus, pterygium, and granuloma at the conjunctiva. Citation: Sezgin F, Neubauer E. Volume IV: Catalogue of the collection of instruments of the institute for the history of Arabic and Islamic sciences. In: Sezgin F. Science and technology in Islam. Frankfurt am Main, Germany: Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science, 2010: 48. Copyright ©The Author(s) 2010. Published by Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science (Institut für Geschichte der Arabisch-Islamischen Wissenschaften). The author has obtained the permission for figure using from the Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science (Institut für Geschichte der Arabisch-Islamischen Wissenschaften) (Supplementary Material).
Figure 15
Figure 15
Raven’s beak (instrument number 13 in Figure 1) for removing whatever sticks to the eye or the inner side of the eyelid. Citation: Sezgin F, Neubauer E. Volume IV: Catalogue of the collection of instruments of the institute for the history of Arabic and Islamic sciences. In: Sezgin F. Science and technology in Islam. Frankfurt am Main, Germany: Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science, 2010: 52. Copyright ©The Author(s) 2010. Published by Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science (Institut für Geschichte der Arabisch-Islamischen Wissenschaften). The author has obtained the permission for figure using from the Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science (Institut für Geschichte der Arabisch-Islamischen Wissenschaften) (Supplementary Material).
Figure 16
Figure 16
Awn tongs (instrument number 35 in Figure 1) used when an awn or something of that kind falls into the eye. Citation: Sezgin F, Neubauer E. Volume IV: Catalogue of the collection of instruments of the institute for the history of Arabic and Islamic sciences. In: Sezgin F. Science and technology in Islam. Frankfurt am Main, Germany: Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science, 2010: 53. Copyright ©The Author(s) 2010. Published by Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science (Institut für Geschichte der Arabisch-Islamischen Wissenschaften). The author has obtained the permission for figure using from the Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science (Institut für Geschichte der Arabisch-Islamischen Wissenschaften) (Supplementary Material).
Figure 17
Figure 17
Olivary-shaped cautery (instrument number 29 in Figure 1) used for headache, and migraine. Citation: Sezgin F, Neubauer E. Volume IV: Catalogue of the collection of instruments of the institute for the history of Arabic and Islamic sciences. In: Sezgin F. Science and technology in Islam. Frankfurt am Main, Germany: Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science, 2010: 50. Copyright ©The Author(s) 2010. Published by Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science (Institut für Geschichte der Arabisch-Islamischen Wissenschaften). The author has obtained the permission for figure using from the Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science (Institut für Geschichte der Arabisch-Islamischen Wissenschaften) (Supplementary Material).
Figure 18
Figure 18
Axe (instrument number 11 in Figure 1) for bloodletting the supraorbital vein. Citation: Sezgin F, Neubauer E. Volume IV: Catalogue of the collection of instruments of the institute for the history of Arabic and Islamic sciences. In: Sezgin F. Science and technology in Islam. Frankfurt am Main, Germany: Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science, 2010: 50. Copyright ©The Author(s) 2010. Published by Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science (Institut für Geschichte der Arabisch-Islamischen Wissenschaften). The author has obtained the permission for figure using from the Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science (Institut für Geschichte der Arabisch-Islamischen Wissenschaften) (Supplementary Material).
Figure 19
Figure 19
Optic nerve crossing together with that of the eye and the brain from Al-Halabi’s book, the Istanbul manuscript of the Süleymaniye Kütüphanesi, Yeni Cami 924. Citation: Sezgin F, Neubauer E. Volume IV: Catalogue of the collection of instruments of the institute for the history of Arabic and Islamic sciences. In: Sezgin F. Science and technology in Islam. Frankfurt am Main, Germany: Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science, 2010: 27. Copyright ©The Author(s) 2010. Published by Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science (Institut für Geschichte der Arabisch-Islamischen Wissenschaften). The author has obtained the permission for figure using from the Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science (Institut für Geschichte der Arabisch-Islamischen Wissenschaften) (Supplementary Material).
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