SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS

Composite instruments will provide advantages in intra-operative fluoroscopy due to x-ray transparency and stealth instruments will alleviate the need for removal and reinsertion to avoid interference with the imaging. However, composite construction will also allow the embedding of a range of Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) sensors into the body of the instrument. These sensors will communicate a range of information to the surgeon to aid in the medical practice including:

• Location of the instrument. Final accounting of the removal of instruments would be simplified by the electronic "reporting" of all instruments at the completion of procedures.
• Sterility assurance. The instrument could transmit the actual temperature at the surface during autoclaving, and provide a complete history of sterilization activities.
• Force exerted. The amount and duration of pressure applied for the displacement of an organ or tissue could be monitored to reduce the risk of morbidity.

Instruments would also be ideal candidates to adopt the anti-infective surface coatings proposed for application in composite operating room tables.