Medicus and technicus.

Abstract

Throughout history "medicus" and "technicus" worked closely in the design of surgical instruments. The early tools were relatively primitive in modern terms but most of them achieved the purpose for which they were designed. In recent centuries numerous surgical instruments were pioneered to execute a variety of tasks. As surgical and technical skills developed some instruments were modified while others were abandoned. Many instruments used in conventional open surgery have obviously stood the test of time, though they have been continuously adapted to the current requirements, the available surgical skills and preference. More recently instrument design and manufacture has been taken over by industry. There are a variety of reasons as to why this may have been an important and advantageous step but the main disadvantage lies in the reduction in the cooperation between "medicus" and "technicus".