Davis & Geck
Encyclopedia
Davis & Geck was a surgical/medical device
company founded in 1909 by Charles T. Davis and Fred A. Geck originally located in Brooklyn, NY.
It specialized in the development and manufacture of surgical sutures along with various other products in the wound closure, surgical technique, and aseptic technique
categories. At one point it manufactured over 2,000 different product codes.
In 1930, the company was acquired by American Cyanamid
. The resulting Davis & Geck subsidiary moved its offices, laboratory and production facility to Danbury, CT in the 1950s and later opened a manufacturing plant in Manati, Puerto Rico
.
Davis and Geck's most significant contribution to the surgical field was the invention of the synthetic absorbable suture. Its Dexon brand of sutures, introduced in the 1970s, was made with a man made organic material called polyglycolic acid. This new category of suture product reduced a surgeon's reliance on animal derived "catgut
" sutures which have inconsistent strength properties and can often cause significant wound irritation to patients.
The company was also known for its contribution to the field of surgery due to its operation of the Davis & Geck Film library. The film library pioneered the filming of surgical procedures and provided films and videos to surgeons and nurses for educational purposes.
The Davis & Geck product line was sold to Sherwood and later to the Tyco Corporation where it was renamed Syneture. The company is currently part of Covidien
, Ltd.
Medical device
A medical device is a product which is used for medical purposes in patients, in diagnosis, therapy or surgery . Whereas medicinal products achieve their principal action by pharmacological, metabolic or immunological means. Medical devices act by other means like physical, mechanical, thermal,...
company founded in 1909 by Charles T. Davis and Fred A. Geck originally located in Brooklyn, NY.
It specialized in the development and manufacture of surgical sutures along with various other products in the wound closure, surgical technique, and aseptic technique
Aseptic technique
Aseptic technique refers to a procedure that is performed under sterile conditions. This includes medical and laboratory techniques, such as with microbiological cultures. It includes techniques like flame sterilization...
categories. At one point it manufactured over 2,000 different product codes.
In 1930, the company was acquired by American Cyanamid
American Cyanamid
American Cyanamid was a large, diversified, American chemical manufacturer, founded by Frank Washburn in 1907. It was the only United States firm manufacturing the polio vaccine of the Sabin type....
. The resulting Davis & Geck subsidiary moved its offices, laboratory and production facility to Danbury, CT in the 1950s and later opened a manufacturing plant in Manati, Puerto Rico
Manatí, Puerto Rico
Manatí is a municipality of Puerto Rico in the northern coast, north of Morovis and Ciales; east of Florida and Barceloneta; and west of Vega Baja. Manatí is spread over 8 wards and Manatí Pueblo...
.
Davis and Geck's most significant contribution to the surgical field was the invention of the synthetic absorbable suture. Its Dexon brand of sutures, introduced in the 1970s, was made with a man made organic material called polyglycolic acid. This new category of suture product reduced a surgeon's reliance on animal derived "catgut
Catgut
Catgut is a type of cord that is prepared from the natural fibre found in the walls of animal intestines. Usually sheep or goat intestines are used, but it is occasionally made from the intestines of cattle, hogs, horses, mules, or donkeys.-Etymology:...
" sutures which have inconsistent strength properties and can often cause significant wound irritation to patients.
The company was also known for its contribution to the field of surgery due to its operation of the Davis & Geck Film library. The film library pioneered the filming of surgical procedures and provided films and videos to surgeons and nurses for educational purposes.
The Davis & Geck product line was sold to Sherwood and later to the Tyco Corporation where it was renamed Syneture. The company is currently part of Covidien
Covidien
Covidien , formerly Tyco Healthcare, is a healthcare device and supply company, incorporated in Dublin, Ireland, although its corporate offices are located in Mansfield, Massachusetts. On June 29, 2007, Covidien became an independent publicly traded company after being spun off from Tyco...
, Ltd.