Smart systems listen and perform

Voice control supports the physician during interventions with the Siemens Angiography System

Minimally-invasive procedures require technical skill and concentration on the part of the physician who has to focus on both the patient and the Angiography system. Since he continually operates the unit during the procedure, the new voice control option, which Siemens Medical Solutions (Med) introduced at Medica 2005 in Düsseldorf, will help eliminate some of the manual work. Applying defined commands, frequently-used functions on the monitor are voicecontrolled and keep the patient at the center of the examination.

Without leaving the sterile zone, the physician controls and manages the monitor using voice commands via a headset. His main focus is and will be on the patient. Voice control simplifies several key combinations or operations on the Angiography system. lt fully performs all commands received, accelerates the workflow, and frees the physician’s hands to guide the catheter.

Several functions that previously required the physician to use both hands can now be managed by a single command via voice control. Even the Roadmap function, which supports the physician in guiding the catheter, can be controlled by voice command. “In the time it used to take me to perform one work step, I can now complete two,” said internist Dr. Gary Spiegel of Hartford Hospital, Connecticut/USA. “With voice control, I can now perform manual operations by just using my voice. I don’t have to touch the joystick or press a button.”

The new option for all Axiom Artis systems is easy to use. For example, voice control does not have to adapt to one’s own voice, and no specialized training is required. Axiom Artis understands the commands as soon as the user puts on the headset and speaks in German or English. Naturally, all functions can still be set manually on the device.

Siemens Medical Solutions is one of the world’s largest suppliers to the healthcare industry. The company is known for bringing together innovative medical technologies, healthcare information systems, management consulting, and support services, to help customers achieve tangible, sustainable, clinical and financial outcomes. From imaging systems for diagnosis, to therapy equipment for treatment, to patient monitors to hearing instruments and beyond, Siemens innovations contribute to the health and well-being of people across the globe, while improving operational efficiencies and optimizing workflow in hospitals, clinics, home health agencies, and doctors’ offices. Employing approximately 33.000 people worldwide and operating in more than 120 countries, Siemens Medical Solutions reported sales of 7.6 billion EUR, orders of 8.6 billion EUR and group profit of 1 billion EUR for fiscal 2005 (preliminary figures).