Origin of the Drake fenestrated aneurysm clip.

The development of the Drake fenestrated aneurysm clip is a study in the history of ideas. This communication outlines the conception and solution of a surgical problem involved with the clipping of large basilar tip aneurysms. Dr. Charles G. Drake's ability to modify old ideas and experiment with new ones was instrumental to the conceptual idea of a fenestrated clip. Dr. Frank H. Mayfield and Mr. George Kees, Jr. played essential roles in bringing the idea to a reality. The development of the fenestrated clip has added substantially to the armamentarium of the aneurysm surgeon in dealing with large and complex aneurysms.