ABSTRACT
An integrated communication network, SurgON, has been developed to enable a surgeon to control multiple operating room systems and devices and monitor data streams from diverse sources via a single console. The system also enables the surgeon to grant access and control to remote observers and participants. A test configuration has been evaluated.
Subject(s)
Computer Communication Networks/instrumentation , Surgery, Computer-Assisted/instrumentation , Surgical Procedures, Operative/methods , Telemedicine/instrumentation , Telemetry/instrumentation , User-Computer Interface , Equipment Design , Equipment Failure Analysis , Systems Integration , United StatesABSTRACT
The increasing use of advanced automated and computer-controlled systems and devices in surgical procedures has resulted in problems arising from the crowding of the operating room with equipment and the incompatible control and communication standards associated with each system. This lack of compatibility between systems and centralized control means that the surgeon is frequently required to interact with multiple computer interfaces in order to obtain updates and exert control over the various devices at his disposal. To reduce this complexity and provide the surgeon with more complete and precise control of the operating room systems, a unified interface and communication network has been developed. In addition to improving efficiency, this network also allows the surgeon to grant remote access to consultants and observers at other institutions, enabling experts to participate in the procedure without having to travel to the site.