History and development of hysteroscopy.

The hysteroscope has evolved over the last two centuries. The first scientist to conduct light into the human body was Bozzini in 1805. The hysteroscope as we know it today is similar to the early cystoscope described and presented in 1877 by Nitze. The instruments and technique of endoscopy underwent advances by people such as Heineberg (1914), Rubin (1925), Mickulicz-Radecki (1927), and Norment (1949). Vulmiere applied cold light fiberoptics, and Marleschki (1965) introduced the early form of the contact hysteroscope. Edström and Fernström introduced the use of a solution of a high-molecular-weight dextran from beet sugar as a distending medium, and Hamou (1980) designed a 4-mm microcolpohysteroscope for histologic diagnosis in the reproductive tract.