X-Message-Number: 32098
From: "John de Rivaz" <>
Subject: University of Bern in Switzerland pioneer non invasive attops...
Date: Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:37:48 -0000

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THE small industrial robot that dominates the room is in many ways much like any
other. A robotic arm smoothly wields grippers and probes - always accurate and 
never tired. But rather than working on cars or computers, this robot is 
processing human corpses.


A team of forensic pathologists at the University of Bern in Switzerland reckon 
it could make autopsies more accurate and also less distressing for families.


The researchers are already pioneers of virtual autopsies, or "virtopsies", 
which use non-invasive imaging of a body inside and out rather than the radical 
post-mortem surgery typically used to determine cause of death.


Now they are using a robot, dubbed Virtibot, to carry out parts of that process,
making it more reliable - and standardised.


Their virtopsies combine 3D imaging of a body's surface with a CT scan of its 
interior anatomy. The result is a faithful, high-resolution virtual double of 
the corpse (see diagram). This double can be used to accurately determine what 
killed someone. And it's a more tactful approach: only needle biopsies are used 
to sample tissues, leaving a body essentially undamaged.

more on



http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20427316.400-industrial-robot-hones-virtual-autopsies.html

-- 
Sincerely, John de Rivaz:  http://John.deRivaz.com for websites including
Cryonics Europe, Longevity Report, The Venturists, Porthtowan, Alec Harley
Reeves - inventor, Arthur Bowker - potter, de Rivaz genealogy,  Nomad .. and
more

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