Technical aspects of curved instruments and flexible cannulae.

This paper deals with the technological aspects of the design of curved instruments for endoscopic surgery. Straight and rigid instruments in combination with the fixed trocar site have the disadvantage of limiting the freedom of surgical manoeuvres, especially in thoracic procedures. Curved or articulated shafts increase the space accessible to these instruments and facilitate surgery.

An anesthesia information system for monitoring and record keeping during surgical anesthesia.

We have developed an anesthesia information system (AIS) that supports the anesthesiologist in monitoring and recording during a surgical operation. In development of the system, emphasis was placed on providing an anesthesiologist-computer interface that can be adapted to typical situations during anesthesia and to individual user behavior. One main feature of this interface is the integration of the input and output of information.

Ergonomic design aspects in interaction between man and technical systems in medicine.

Technical systems in medical applications reach a complexity level where man-system-interface design on the basis of ergonomic principles and guidelines becomes mandatory. Personnel, equipment, environmental, and system ergonomics can be identified as the main areas of ergonomic research. Ergonomics in medicine considers the physician-patient-machine relationship in a specific task environment.