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First zero-gravity human surgery First zero-gravity human surgery
(about 1 hour later)
A team of French doctors is planning to carry out the first operation on a human being under "weightless" conditions in an adapted aircraft.A team of French doctors is planning to carry out the first operation on a human being under "weightless" conditions in an adapted aircraft.
It is hoped the trial will be a first step to performing surgery in space.It is hoped the trial will be a first step to performing surgery in space.
The doctors will be removing a benign tumour from the arm of a volunteer as their plane makes a series of swoops to mimic a reduced-gravity environment.The doctors will be removing a benign tumour from the arm of a volunteer as their plane makes a series of swoops to mimic a reduced-gravity environment.
The surgeons will be working strapped to the sides of the plane while the patient is held inside a plastic tent.The surgeons will be working strapped to the sides of the plane while the patient is held inside a plastic tent.
Specially designed instruments have been fitted with magnets to attach them to the metal operating table.Specially designed instruments have been fitted with magnets to attach them to the metal operating table.
Earthly spin-offsEarthly spin-offs
The three-hour flight above south-west France will use a modified Airbus A300 known as "Zero-G". It flies parabolic curves that give its passengers 20-second periods of weightlessness.The three-hour flight above south-west France will use a modified Airbus A300 known as "Zero-G". It flies parabolic curves that give its passengers 20-second periods of weightlessness.
The French doctors have already operated on a rat in zero-gravity
Both patient and medical team have been trained to cope with this free-fall environment in machines similar to those used by astronauts.Both patient and medical team have been trained to cope with this free-fall environment in machines similar to those used by astronauts.
"Since February we have been rehearsing this operation on the ground and in the plane. It is all crystal clear in our heads," said chief surgeon Dominique Martin, quoted by AFP news agency."Since February we have been rehearsing this operation on the ground and in the plane. It is all crystal clear in our heads," said chief surgeon Dominique Martin, quoted by AFP news agency.
It is the first time such an operation has been tried on a human being.It is the first time such an operation has been tried on a human being.
Earlier this year, Mr Martin and his team mended a artery in a rat's tail 0.5mm in diameter.Earlier this year, Mr Martin and his team mended a artery in a rat's tail 0.5mm in diameter.
It is part of a long-term project to study the possibility of carrying out surgery during long-distance space flights, using robots in the spacecraft, guided by doctors on Earth via a satellite link.It is part of a long-term project to study the possibility of carrying out surgery during long-distance space flights, using robots in the spacecraft, guided by doctors on Earth via a satellite link.
The BBC's Valerie Jones says it will be many years before such technology would be needed - perhaps on long flights to Mars; but the researchers say there could be a spin-off for Earth.The BBC's Valerie Jones says it will be many years before such technology would be needed - perhaps on long flights to Mars; but the researchers say there could be a spin-off for Earth.
The equipment could be used for emergencies in confined locations such as caves or in buildings toppled by earthquakes.The equipment could be used for emergencies in confined locations such as caves or in buildings toppled by earthquakes.