Wearable computers IN the Operating Room Environment

High technology is a common feature in the modem operating room. While this situation enables a wide range of patient related data to be collected and analysed, the optimal viewing of this information becomes problematic. This situation is particularly acute in a busy operating theatre or while the clinician is moving around the hospital. The WINORE (Wearable computers IN the Operating Room Environment) project is a possible solution to this dilemma. It uses wearable computers and head mounted displays to provide an enhanced delivery of patient information, wirelessly collected from a range of devices, to surgeons, anaesthetists, and supervising clinicians. A crucial dimension to the project is how the clinicians interface with the system given the restrictions of sterile conditions and reduced dexterity due to operating procedures. In this paper we present the WINORE project concept, the background ideas and some findings from our trials.