This article describes the development of the Zeus,¹ an anesthesia workstation for use in operating rooms. For the duration of a surgery, the Zeus supplies the patient with breathing gases, with active ventilation, and with narcotics both inhaled and intravenous. At the same time, the patient's life signals and the Zeus machine parameters are monitored. During a surgery, the patient's life is highly dependent on the medical staff and on the quality and safety concepts of the medical devices.