Studies in health technology and informatics
-
Stud Health Technol Inform · Jan 1996
Robotic arm enhancement to accommodate improved efficiency and decreased resource utilization in complex minimally invasive surgical procedures.
Resource allocation, including manpower and other expenses, have limited the evolution of minimally invasive surgical procedures to provide humanism and to improve surgical care for patients. Robotic enhancement has been proposed as a mechanism to improve the cost-benefit relationship for patients. To this end, we have used the robotic arm enhancement to minimize resource and personnel utilization during minimally invasive procedures. ⋯ Further, this process improves versatility for the surgeon, increases concentration, reduces fatigue and does not interfere with the position of the surgeon. Areas for improvement which have been observed utilizing these techniques are (1) the use of appropriate and consistent voice activation terminology, (2) the proper positioning of the instrument tracking unit in the most appropriate locations on the video screen and on the instrument within the visual field, and (3) the appropriate use of head-directed control of the robotic arm. We have concluded from these experiences that the robotic technology will continue to reduce costs and minimize risk for patients undergoing minimally invasive surgical procedures; moreover, safety, versatility, and diminished use of resources will accrue utilizing the additive benefit of sequential sophisticated technologies requiring a simultaneous educational
-
Stud Health Technol Inform · Jan 1996
Security aspects for medical device vigilance information exchange.
The implementation of appropriate security mechanisms for an effective and efficient medical device vigilance information exchange is very important, as the system handles sensitive information. These mechanisms have to be designed in such a way that they maintain confidentiality, integrity and availability of the data of medical devices. In this paper the security aspects of the information exchange on medical device vigilance is examined in detail.
-
Post market procedures have been foreseen within the medical device directives. This in turn, led to the preparation of the guidelines on a medical device vigilance system, which is actually the establishment of a recommended procedure to deal with reported adverse incidents. ⋯ However, a number of potential problems can arise during its implementation. Proper use of the vigilance system improves the protection of health, by reducing the likelihood of repeating the same type of incident.