Robots may AllowSurgery in Space

Small robotsdesigned by University of Nebraskaresearchers may______(51)doctors on Earth to help perform surgery on patientsin space.

The______(52),wheeledrobots,which are about 3 inches tall and as wide as lipstick case, can beslipped into small incisions and computer-controlled by surgeons in

different______(53).Some robots are equipped with______(54)and lights and can send images back tosurgeons and others have surgical tools attached that can be

controlled______(55).

"We think thisis going to replace open surgery," Dr. Dmitry Oleynikov said at a news______(56).Oleynikov is a specialist in computer-assisted surgery at theUniversity of

Nebraska Medical Centerin Omaha.

Officials hope thatNASA will teach______(57)to use the robots soon enough so that surgeries couldone day be performed in space.

On earth,the surgeonscould control the robots themselves from other locations.For example, therobots could enable surgeons in other places to work on injured______(58)on

the front line.Researchers plan to seek federal regulatory approval early next year. Testson______(59)have been successful,and tests on humans in England willbegin very

soon.

The camera-carryingrobots can provide views of______(60)areas and the ones with surgical toolswill be able to maneuver inside the body in______(61)surgeons' hands

can't. The viewsfrom

the camera-carryingrobots are better than the naked eye,because they send back color images thatare______(62).Because several robots can be inserted through one

incision,they couldreduce the amount and______(63)of cuts needed for surgery,which woulddecrease______(64)time. This is particularly helpful to those patients who have

been debilitated bylong illness.

______(65),Oleynikovsaid,the tiny robots may enable surgeons to work without even placing theirhands in patients' bodies."That's the goal,"Oleynikov said."It'sgetting

easier and easier.We can do even more with these devices.

_________(65)

A.Eventually

B.Particularly

C.Incidentally

D.Especially