Automated Anesthesia

In May, researchers at the McGill University Health Centre announced the creation of what they call the world's first fully automated anesthesia system, which has been used in 40 operations so far. In its 8th annual Year in Ideas, New York Times Magazine looks at the McGill innovation known as 'McSleepy'. “The system actually controls the effect of the drugs it gives — and controls it every minute,” says one of its creators, Thomas M. Hemmerling of McGill University. The system administers drugs, monitors their effects and makes adjustments accordingly, all by itself. McSleepy’s limitless attention span is just one way the system is making anesthesia safer for patients.