Scipione Riva-Rocci
Encyclopedia
Scipione Riva-Rocci was an Italian internist and pediatrician who was a native of Almese
. He earned his medical degree in 1888 from the University of Turin
, and from 1900 until 1928 was director of the hospital in Varese
.
He developed an easy to use version of the sphygmomanometer
. His original sphygmomanometer consisted of every-day objects such as an inkwell
, some copper
pipe, bicycle inner tubing and a quantity of mercury
. His initials RR are used to indicate blood pressure
measured with his technique. Neurosurgeon Harvey Cushing
improved his device, and played a major role in bringing Riva-Rocci's mercury sphygmomanometer to the attention of physicians world-wide.
Riva-Rocci also made contributions involving pulmonary and respiratory medicine, particularly in his research of pulmonary tuberculosis
. As a young doctor he assisted Carlo Forlanini
with the technique of iatrogenic pneumothorax
for the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis.
Almese
Almese is a comune in the province of Turin in the Italian region Piedmont, located in the lower Val di Susa, about 27 km west of Turin.-External links:*...
. He earned his medical degree in 1888 from the University of Turin
University of Turin
The University of Turin is a university in the city of Turin in the Piedmont region of north-western Italy...
, and from 1900 until 1928 was director of the hospital in Varese
Varese
Varese is a town and comune in north-western Lombardy, northern Italy, 55 km north of Milan.It is the capital of the Province of Varese. The hinterland or urban part of the city is called Varesotto.- Geography :...
.
He developed an easy to use version of the sphygmomanometer
Sphygmomanometer
A sphygmomanometer or blood pressure meter is a device used to measure blood pressure, comprising an inflatable cuff to restrict blood flow, and a mercury or mechanical manometer to measure the pressure. It is always used in conjunction with a means to determine at what pressure blood flow is just...
. His original sphygmomanometer consisted of every-day objects such as an inkwell
Inkwell
An inkwell is a small jar or container, often made of glass, porcelain, silver, brass, or pewter, used for holding ink in a place convenient for the person who is writing...
, some copper
Copper
Copper is a chemical element with the symbol Cu and atomic number 29. It is a ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. Pure copper is soft and malleable; an exposed surface has a reddish-orange tarnish...
pipe, bicycle inner tubing and a quantity of mercury
Mercury (element)
Mercury is a chemical element with the symbol Hg and atomic number 80. It is also known as quicksilver or hydrargyrum...
. His initials RR are used to indicate blood pressure
Blood pressure
Blood pressure is the pressure exerted by circulating blood upon the walls of blood vessels, and is one of the principal vital signs. When used without further specification, "blood pressure" usually refers to the arterial pressure of the systemic circulation. During each heartbeat, BP varies...
measured with his technique. Neurosurgeon Harvey Cushing
Harvey Cushing
Harvey Williams Cushing, M.D. , was an American neurosurgeon and a pioneer of brain surgery, and the first to describe Cushing's syndrome...
improved his device, and played a major role in bringing Riva-Rocci's mercury sphygmomanometer to the attention of physicians world-wide.
Riva-Rocci also made contributions involving pulmonary and respiratory medicine, particularly in his research of pulmonary tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
. As a young doctor he assisted Carlo Forlanini
Carlo Forlanini
Carlo Forlanini was an Italian physician.In 1870 he earned his medical degree from the University of Pavia, where he studied as an alumnus of Borromeo College, and afterwards joined the staff of the Ospedale Maggiore in Milan...
with the technique of iatrogenic pneumothorax
Pneumothorax
Pneumothorax is a collection of air or gas in the pleural cavity of the chest between the lung and the chest wall. It may occur spontaneously in people without chronic lung conditions as well as in those with lung disease , and many pneumothoraces occur after physical trauma to the chest, blast...
for the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis.