Noemi Bitterman

Technologies and Solutions for Data Display in the Operating Room

Recent advances in technology have led to the introduction of a variety of innovative devices, each with their own platform for data display, into the operating room (OR). While these innovative applications are expanding the traditional boundaries of the surgical space and enhancing treatment capabilities, the introduction of additional screens and displays is placing an ever-increasing load on the OR team. This review describes the main data display platforms currently available in ORs: computer monitors with CRT (cathode ray tube) or LCD (liquid crystal display) screens, suspended imaging displays, wearable computers (WC), auditory displays and tactile (haptic) displays. The different display platforms are evaluated according to their compatibility with the characteristics of the working environment (OR), the monitoring task, and the users (the surgical team). No single display configuration provides an ultimate solution for presenting patient data in the OR. A multi-sensory data display including visual, acoustic and haptic manipulation is suggested as a promising configuration for data display in the OR.

Recreational diving: Re-evaluation of task, environment, and equipment definitions

Abstract Recreational diving has developed extensively over the years, becoming a popular sport and leisure activity, attracting millions of people around the world. A questionnaire aiming to identify problematic stages during recreational diving and to map the relative importance of the diving equipment features was distributed among divers of different genders, ages, certification, and professional experience (N=130). It was found that the most problematic stages for recreational divers (out of 32 tasks) were on-land activities and transitional phases between water and terrestrial interfaces: carrying equipment on shore, underwater orientation, exiting from water to boat and reef, surface swimming, and donning the wetsuit. Safety/reliability, individual adjustment, performance, and simplicity were rated the most important features for diving equipment, while design/style and brand name were rated the least. We suggest that redefinition of the task, equipment, and environment according to the current profile of recreational divers will increase pleasure, reduce fatigue and related diving accidents, improve safety, and increase the number of dedicated active divers.

Evaluation of data display for patient-oriented electronic record of anticoagulant therapy.

OBJECTIVE Our aim was to evaluate visualization methods for specific tasks performed with personal healthcare e-record systems for lay adults and older patients. We investigated common visualization methods for data entry and follow-up of personal and clinical information for self-control of blood coagulation functions. METHODS Twenty-five old (72.2 +/- 5.5 years) and 25 young (30.4 +/- 4.9 years) participants completed tasks based on common scenarios, on experimental Web sites with hidden tracking programs. Functional parameters (time, accuracy), subjective parameters (preference, satisfaction), and physiological parameters (heart rate, skin temperature, sweat, respiratory rate, and muscle tension) monitored with miniature sensors were used. RESULTS Total time for data entry and information follow-up were significantly longer for older compared with younger participants, with no significant differences in accuracy (errors), in stress-related physiological parameters, in preferences, or in satisfaction between age group. The Menu display was the significantly preferred configuration for data entry in both age groups, based on functional, physiological, and subjective criteria (p < 0.05, Duncan test). The Calendar configuration was significantly preferred for mixed tasks of follow-up and information retrieval, in both age groups, based on functional, physiological, and subjective criteria (p < 0.05, Duncan test). CONCLUSIONS Our study supports equal capabilities of old and young people to use interactive healthcare systems for management of chronic diseases and further encourages using physiological, functional, and subjective methods for evaluating personal healthcare records.

‘Aquatourism’: submerged tourism, a developing area

The sea and its depths have captivated human imagination from time immemorial. People have looked to the sea for adventure and beauty, and gone into it in search of unique and different experiences. The underwater world, however, is mainly accessible only to divers. We look for ways to extend it to non-divers, making it a family experience. Submerged tourism, a fledgling industry, is set to take shape in the form of restaurants, hotel entertainment halls and more – operating beneath the surface of the water. The article reviews existing one-atmosphere underwater structures and discusses their unique problems and challenges, offering suggestions for the future development of submerged tourism.