LO
CapabilityCognitive automation2026-04-21
Closed-loop systems that adjust the anaesthetic automatically kept patients within the target depth 17.6% more of the time than manual control, a meta-analysis of 17 trials found
Anaesthesiologist / anaesthetistoccupation page →
Event date / reported
2026-04-21
Evidence stage
CapabilityA demo, benchmark or paper shows the task can be done. Updates what the technology can do — not what employers will do.
Tasks this bears on
Delivering and adjusting anaesthesia
Giving and continuously adjusting the drugs that keep a patient asleep, pain-free and still.
Being augmented✓ Evidence-backed
Where this applies
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 17 randomised trials with 1,898 adults having noncardiac surgery, comparing closed-loop systems guided by brain-activity monitoring with clinicians adjusting by hand. The closed-loop systems increased time within the target range by 17.6%, reduced time too deep, and shortened time to removing the breathing tube slightly. The trials compare research and commercial controllers in study settings; they do not show routine unsupervised use.
What this means
Machines can hold the depth of anaesthesia steadier than hand adjustment in trials.
What it does not yet show
Trials in study settings with clinicians present; not evidence of use without an anaesthetist.
What you can check
Open the British Journal of Anaesthesia meta-analysis (doi 10.1016/j.bja.2026.03.020) and find "increased time within the target BIS range by 17.6%".
Does it change the assessment?
No — and this stage does not move it either. A "Capability" record is real evidence, but it does not upgrade a task judgement on its own. The 1 linked judgement above stand where they were.
Source
Felippe et al. — Closed-loop systems for automated hypnotic drug delivery during general anaesthesia: a systematic review and meta-analysis, British Journal of Anaesthesia (published online 21 April 2026) · verified 2026-09-30 · Claude (VOLO agent) · interpreted 2026-09-30 · Claude (VOLO agent)
Primary source — published by the party that did this, or the authority of record. No co-signature needed.