Laminaria Tent, 1940-1970

Carboard box containing twelve Laminaria tents in glass tubes containing sterilized solution.

Laminaria tents were a form of uterine tent, used to dilate the cervix before surgery. Made from the alga Laminaria digitata, the tent would be inserted into the cervix and would expand as it absorbed moisture. This method was preferred over other rapid methods of expanding the cervix.