微型机器人

A newly-built machine uses extremely small instruments to perform eye operations.

The machine is reported to make fewer mistakes than doctors.

Robots are already used to perform some relatively simple operations like a hysterectomy, when a

doctor removes a woman's uterus. But operating on the eye is more difficult than those kinds of

surgeries.

A cataract is a condition that many people develop as they get older. It makes the lens of the eye

appear cloudy, making it more difficult for the patient to see. Doctors can remove cataracts

through surgery.

One of the difficult parts of that surgery is getting close to the lens. The doctor has to work very

carefully next to the capsule of the lens, without breaking it.

That is where Axsis technology comes in.

Axsis is one of the smallest robots for surgical use. It is the size of a soft drink can. The robot is

equipped with instruments measuring only 1.8 millimeters in length.

A company called Cambridge Consultants developed the Axsis system. Chris Wagner is its head of

advanced surgical systems. He says Axsis could help patients in need of corrective eye surgery.

Wagner says the company's robotics product can help with this "extremely sensitive part of the

operation" of getting close to the lens without breaking it. He says with robotics, and guidance and

imaging during the operation, one can see where the robot is, and see where the lens is, along with

other important body parts.

All of the machine's operating parts are inside the device, he says. This is different from traditional

surgical robots that operate on a long straight instrument.

Wagner says the joints have been moved inside, "so no arm is swinging around... and no arm

motion has to conflict with another robot arm."

Critics say cataract surgery is not very difficult, and the new machine may not be needed. But

Wagner believes it shows that such small robotic devices could be used in many other ways.

"I think the fact that it's a 1.8 millimeter diameter robot that's operating on the size scale of the eye

is exciting. This just opens the door to a number of different types of procedures that you can do

that previously weren't possible."

That means the device could be used for treatments that require more attention to detail than

human hands can provide.

I'm Anne Ball.

1.hysterectomy n.子宫

The ratio of abdominal to vaginal hysterectomy is approximately 3:1.

经腹与经阴道子宫切除术比率为3:1.

2.cataract n.白内障

The way is blocked by the tall cataract.

高悬的大瀑布挡住了去路.

3.lens n.晶状体

The lens of the eye accommodate to distance.

眼球晶状体能根据距离进行调节。

4.swing vt.摇摆，挥动

He accidentally found that the desk clock did not swing its pendulum.

他无意中发现座钟不摇摆了。

1.It is the size of a soft drink can. The robot is equipped with instruments measuring only 1.8

millimeters in length.

be equipped with 配有„„，装有„„

Our yacht was well equipped with two double cabins fore and aft.

我们的游艇设施完备，首尾有两个双人舱。

You can also tour the site on modern coaches equipped with videos.

您也可以乘坐配有视频设备的现代化长途汽车游览那处遗址。

2.That means the device could be used for treatments that require more attention to detail than

human hands can provide.

be used for 用于„„

These optical fibres may be used for new sorts of telephony.

这些光缆可以用于新型电话通讯系统。

The money saved could be used for more deserving causes.

省下来的钱可以用于更有意义的事业。

种新式机器人可以使用微型仪器进行眼部手术。

据报道，这种机器人的错误率比医生还要低。

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一些相对简单的手术早已采用了机器人进行操作，比如子宫切除手术（医生切除女性的子宫）。不过，眼部手术的难度要高于这些类型的外科手术。

随着年龄的增长，很多人会患上白内障。这种疾病会使人眼球的晶状体越发模糊，让病人越来越难看清。医生可以通过外科手术来移除白内障。

白内障手术难度较大的一个部分就是切近晶状体。医生必须极为小心，在不伤害晶状体囊的情况下，尽可能接近晶状体囊。

艾西斯技术因此应运而生。

艾西斯是执行外科手术中最小的一款机器人。它只有一瓶软性饮料那么大，但其身上所携带的仪器只有1.8毫米长。

艾西斯系统是剑桥顾问公司研发的。克里斯瓦格纳是艾西斯高级外科系统的负责人。克里斯表示，艾西斯为病患做眼部矫正手术。

克里斯还说，其公司的机器人产品能够助力这项“极为敏感手术”中迫近晶状体囊而不对其造成损坏的要求。克里斯表示，手术期间，有了机器人技术、指导和成像，就能看到机器人所处的位置、晶状体的位置以及其他重要身体部位。

克里斯说，艾西斯的所有操作部位都位于内部。这与那些在又长又直的仪器上进行手术的传统手术机器人不同。

克里斯表示，所有关节都被挪到了机器人身体内部，“这样就不会存在手臂到处挥舞的问题„„也不会在挥动手臂时碰到另一个机器人的手臂。”

一些批评家表示，白内障手术并不难，所以并不需要这种新型机器人。然而克里斯却认为，有事实表明这样的微型机器人可以用很多其他的用途。

“我觉得，一个直径只有1.8毫米的机器人做眼部手术这件事，想想就让人兴奋。这简直为很多以前认为不可思议的事情敞开了大门。”

这意味着微型机器人装置可以用于一些细节要求高于人类手部所能达到的治疗中。

安妮鲍尔为您播报。

Some of the most successful technology business owners in Silicon Valley are immigrants. Silicon

Valley is an area of northern California that is home to major technology companies like Apple,

Google and Facebook.

For some immigrants, just living in the United States is the goal. But others have bigger dreams,

like Qasar Younis.

Younis is the chief operating officer of Y Combinator. Y Combinator is an investment company. It

gives money to new technology businesses in return for part ownership.

If the company is sold or offers its shares for sale to the public, Y Combinator can make a lot of

money.

Younis is from the Punjab area of Pakistan. He says he was just a normal child. But, he says he

believed from an early age that he could be successful in the U.S.

Another Pakistani immigrant, Dilawar Syed, owns the software company Freshdesk. It provides

customer support services.

Syed said the people who live in Silicon Valley create big opportunities for themselves and each

other.

"The idea of making an impossible, possible is the way we operate."

And, he thinks Silicon Valley is unlike any other place.

"I think the valley is unique. In that ecosystem, there is an interesting mix of enabling factors that

allow people to develop themselves, to push themselves, to take risks, fail often and then succeed

quite often in a spectacular fashion."

Many entrepreneurs around the world dream of coming to California and starting a business. But

how do they do it?

There are organizations that can help.

Mohammad Ibrahim's Leaders is one such group. It invites leaders of start-ups from the

Palestinian territories to attend a one-month program in Silicon Valley. Silicon Valley experts

provide training and advice to the visitors.

They learn how to market and grow their businesses. They find ways to increase sales. And

Ibrahim says Leaders can connect the start-ups that need money with investors.

Google has a similar program called Launchpad Accelerator. It offers problem-solving for people

who started businesses in parts of Latin America and Asia. Those who come to the program spend

two weeks at Google's headquarters and then get access to Google experts for six months.

Another way people get their start is through internships. Internships are mostly unpaid training

positions at companies. Interns can gain valuable connections as well.