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Robots Might Allow For Space Surgery
An anonymous reader writes "Robots might allow for delicate surgeries in space, reports the Washington Post." From the article: "The tiny, wheeled robots, which are about 3 inches tall and as wide as a lipstick case, can be slipped into small incisions and computer-controlled by surgeons in different locations. Some robots are equipped with cameras and lights and can send back images to surgeons. Others have surgical tools attached that can be controlled remotely ... Officials hope that next spring, NASA will teach astronauts to use the robots so that surgeries could one day be performed in space. Delays in communication because of the distance to space would mean surgeons on earth would have tell astronauts what commands to give the robots"
They already do.
The best part is that the controls can scale large movements down to very fine ones allowing procedures that aren't possible by hand, as well as filtering out normal muscle tremors. Though I'm with you, I'd like to see it used more often.
Even people that believe in pre-destiny look both ways before crossing the street.
Read the post much? It will be operated by another astronaut who is trained on using the robot. They will attempt to be in contact with a surgeon as much as they can, but don't need direct contact from the earth based surgeon.