Anesthesiologists Test Headsets for Monitoring Data During Surgery

Newswise — A new head-mounted display system lets anesthesiologists keep an eye on critical monitoring data during surgery—without having to turn their attention away from the patient, reports a study in the April issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia, official journal of the International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS).

"Fighter pilots in close combat cannot afford to take their eyes off of the enemy to see their flight instruments. Instead, combat planes are equipped with a 'heads-up display' that projects the instrument readings into the pilot’s line of sight," explains Dr. Steven L. Shafer of Columbia University, Editor-in-Chief of Anesthesia & Analgesia. "In just the same way, anesthesiologists cannot afford to look away from a critically ill patient to the bank of monitors several feet behind them." Head-Mounted Display Helps Anesthesiologists Focus on the Patient

An Australian team of anesthesiologists, headed by Mr. David Liu, has developed a head-mounted display that projects data from patient monitors into the anesthesiologist's line of vision. The data appear as a monochrome red image on a see-through monocle over the anesthesiologist's right eye. (The accompanying figure shows a simulated image of what the anesthesiologist sees when using the head-mounted display.)

The system allows the anesthesiologist to "stay engaged" with a patient who requires undivided attention, without having to look away at the monitors displaying the patient's physiological information. The headset is wirelessly connected to the patient monitors, freeing the anesthesiologist to move about the operating room. The system uses the NOMAD expert technician system from Microvision, Inc.

Six anesthesiologists tested the head-mounted display during actual operations in 36 patients. Although the study was small, the results were positive. When the patient’s physiological data were projected into their field of vision, the anesthesiologists spent more time looking at their patients and less time looking toward the monitoring equipment. The system's major limitation was the need for a backpack, which limited mobility somewhat.

With further technological development, the head-mounted display system may help anesthesiologists to solve a difficult problem: how to maintain their focus on caring for the patient during surgery, while at the same time keeping track of crucial physiological data like heart rate, oxygenation, and blood pressure.

"Head-mounted displays have been tested by anesthesiologists for the past decade, but poor resolution rendered them unsuitable for clinical use," says Dr. Shafer. "Liu and colleagues have adopted a new generation of imaging technology to the high-bandwidth requirements of the operating room anesthesiologist."

"Once miniaturization has eliminated the backpack, these devices will likely see widespread use—particularly in the care of critically ill patients undergoing complex procedures," Dr. Shafer adds.

Read the full study in Anesthesia & Analgesia

About the IARS

The International Anesthesia Research Society is a nonpolitical, not-for-profit medical society founded in 1922 to advance and support scientific research and education related to anesthesia, and to improve patient care through basic research. The IARS contributes nearly $1 million annually to fund anesthesia research; sponsors an annual forum for anesthesiology leaders to share information and ideas; maintains a worldwide membership of more 15,000 physicians, physician residents, and others with doctoral degrees, as well as health professionals in anesthesia-related practice; sponsors the SAFEKIDS initiative; and publishes the journal Anesthesia & Analgesia. Additional information about the society and the journal may be found at www.iars.org and www.anesthesia-analgesia.org.

About Anesthesia & Analgesia

Anesthesia & Analgesia was founded in 1922 and was issued bi-monthly until 1980, when it became a monthly publication. A&A is the leading journal for anesthesia clinicians and researchers and includes more than 500 articles annually in all areas related to anesthesia and analgesia, such as cardiovascular anesthesiology, patient safety, anesthetic pharmacology, and pain management. The journal is published on behalf of the IARS by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins (LWW), a division of Wolters Kluwer Health.