String galvanometer

String galvanometer is a type of galvanometer, a device used to detect and measure electric current. It was invented by the Dutch physician Willem Einthoven in 1901 and was essential in the development of electrocardiography.

History

The string galvanometer was invented by Willem Einthoven in 1901. Einthoven was a Dutch physician and physiologist who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1924 for his work on the mechanism of the heart. The string galvanometer was a significant advancement in the field of cardiology, as it allowed for the first practical electrocardiograms (ECGs) to be taken.

Design and Function

The string galvanometer is made up of a fine, conductive string (usually made of quartz fiber coated with silver) stretched between two electromagnets. When an electric current is passed through the string, it moves in response to the magnetic field created by the electromagnets. This movement can be recorded and used to measure the current.

The string galvanometer was particularly useful in the field of cardiology because it could detect the tiny electrical currents generated by the heart. This made it possible to create a graphical representation of the heart's activity, known as an electrocardiogram (ECG).

Impact

The string galvanometer and the electrocardiogram (ECG) have had a profound impact on the field of medicine. They have allowed for the non-invasive study of the heart's activity, leading to better understanding and treatment of heart conditions. Today, ECGs are a routine part of medical examinations and are essential in the diagnosis and monitoring of heart disease.

See Also

• Galvanometer
• Electrocardiography
• Willem Einthoven
• Cardiology

References

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String_galvanometer

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  Willem Einthoven with his electrocardiogram
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  Einthoven's string galvanometer