Abstract
I did not really want to write an article about something which is as yet unfinished, but, since this project is based upon principles common to the design of many features of my intensive care unit, principles which I think should be borne in mind when designing units for the future, I think that it is worth describing the evolution of the project so far.
The very rapid technological advances of the past couple of decades have produced a plethora of gadgets for monitoringphysiological systems and for boosting or replacing defective systems. Many patients owe their lives to artificial ventilation, artificial kidneys, etc. We have become very ambitious in our treatment of life threatening acute illness and are tackling patients with multi-system failure who would have simply been allowed to die twenty years ago. Unfortunately all advances bring new problems.
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