What significant medical device was invented by Dr. Charles Wood?

Dr. Charles Wood is best known for inventing the hypodermic needle. This medical device revolutionized the way medications are administered by allowing for the injection of substances directly into the body through the skin. The hypodermic needle made it possible to deliver vaccines and other critical therapies more efficiently and with less discomfort compared to previous delivery methods. Its design included a hollow needle that can penetrate the skin and carry fluids into the body, which significantly advanced medical practices and patient care.

The other options, such as the syringe, stethoscope, and catheter, were developed by other medical pioneers and serve different functions in healthcare. The syringe is used to hold and push fluids, the stethoscope is essential for listening to internal body sounds, and the catheter is used to drain fluids or deliver medications but did not originate with Dr. Wood's innovation. Thus, the hypodermic needle stands out as a significant advancement credited to him.