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Solar Surgery

Posted by michael on from the burning-ants dept.

Chris writes "Scientists in Israel have developed a device based on a concave dish that intensifies sunlight by a factor of 15,000. By focusing this light into an optical fiber and delivering it to an operating theatre, the team says its solar-surgery setup promises to be a low-cost alternative to laser surgery." Everyone who used to operate on GI Joe figures with a magnifying glass is cheering for this to be commercially successful.

6 of 255 comments (clear)

  1. Great.... by digitalamish · · Score: 5, Funny

    Now I only have to hope my surgery doesn't get rained out.
    --
    "That's Homer Simpson sir. One of your drones from secotr 7G."

  2. Won't work by Mantorp · · Score: 5, Funny

    Since operations now can only take place on sunny days, surgeons won't be able to golf as much.

  3. GI Goe! by American+AC+in+Paris · · Score: 5, Funny
    Everyone who used to operate on GI Joe figures with a magnifying glass is cheering for this to be commercially successful.

    ...I used to 'operate' on GI Joe figurines with firecrackers wedged into the rubber-band spinal cord.

    When do we get to see the real-world equivalent of that?

    --

    Obliteracy: Words with explosions

  4. Best where electrical power is questionable.... by King_TJ · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Despite all the jokes on here about it, I think it has applications in 3rd. world countries where reliable electrical power isn't a given.

    In countries like the United States, every hospital has backup power generators, uninterrupted power supplies, and so forth -- on top of being connected to a pretty reliable power grid. I can't see someone choosing sunlight over an electrically powered laser beam for surgery. The greater initial expense of the laser is quickly offset by money lost on surgeries that couldn't be performed due to weather conditions.

    In a relatively undeveloped country, however, this might make a lot of sense! It could give new options to doctors who simply couldn't count on a laser-based setup to function reliably, or couldn't afford it to begin with.

  5. Solar flare. by reality-bytes · · Score: 5, Funny

    All you need is a good size, unexpected, solar flare during an operation and 6 hours later the surgeons will be trying to explain to you why you now have a second rectum! :)

    You smell something burning?.......

    --
    Ripping an new rectum in the fabric of spacetime.
  6. Obligatory Simpsons Quote by Raul654 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Hibbert: This is such a beautiful day, I don't know why we don't operate outside more often.

    [Tennis ball falls from sky into open wound, ECG flatlines]

    Hibbert: Time of death.. 10:15.

    --


    To make laws that man cannot, and will not obey, serves to bring all law into contempt.
    --E.C. Stanton