Quantitative anaesthesia - exact registration of the degree of anaesthesia - has long been the anaesthetist's dream. Such pre­ cision could decrease the risk for the patient. Can -this dream now be realized in the foreseeable future? And can the quantifi­ cation be technically verified? This workshop was organized for these questions to be discussed by a group of experts. Schleswig-Holstein was a logical location for such a gathering. Medical and associated technical advances have socioeconomic consequences: in Schleswig-Holstein there are nowadays more jobs in medical technology than in the traditional shipbuilding industry. The encouragement of medical research and related technical innovation is thus a central component of public poli­ cy. One result of this emphasis was the recent setting up of a study group on medical technology, one of the aims of which is to provide a forum in Schleswig-Holstein for meetings such as this. The intention is to consolidate Schleswig-Holstein's reputation as a centre for both medical-technical development and scien­ tific discussion. The organizers of this scientific workshop thank the Schleswig­ Holstein Ministry of Economics and Transport and Dragerwerk AG for their support.