A method for controlling a medical apparatus includes identifying at least one object and at least one part of a user's body; capturing the position, movement and/or alignment of the identified part of the body and the identified object; and controlling at least one apparatus using a corresponding predetermined command, if predetermined criteria for the identity of the object and/or part of the body and its position, movement and/or alignment are fulfilled. A device for controlling a medical apparatus includes an identifying device which identifies parts of a user's body and objects; a capture device which captures the position, movement and/or alignment of the identified parts of the body and objects; and a control device which controls at least one apparatus using a corresponding predetermined command, if predetermined criteria for the identity of the object and/or part of the body and its position, movement and/or alignment are fulfilled.