Innovative Heart Treatments
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HERMES
MeritCare surgeons began working with the Hermes technology in January 2002; the computer is capable of understanding the surgeon's voice commands and controlling medical equipment in the operating room - providing the surgeon with an extra set of hands.
The Hermes system is designed to accommodate many medical devices used in the operating room, including a camera designed to take pictures during a procedure; a printer, which prints these pictures in under a minute; and a VCR, which can record a procedure. While wearing a headset, surgeons have direct control over these devices using simple voice commands. Hermes also provides the staff with important information on the status of each device using visual and voice feedback. The system increases room efficiency and alerts staff when a device is malfunctioning, disconnected or alarming.
The use of simple voice technology used in HERMES utilizes the most natural interface possible. The use of simple voice commands makes control of the medical equipment seamless and perfectly intuitive. HERMES returns direct control of the important high tech OR-equipment to the surgeon and allows a highly trained nurse (who would normally be required to control the devices) to refocus their efforts on higher value responsibilities in patient care.