# Rise of the Machines: Prostate Inspecting Robot! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 21, 2007, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rise-of-the-machines-prostate-inspecting-robot/408794 "2007-06-21T01:13:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2007, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rise-of-the-machines-prostate-inspecting-robot/408794/1 "2007-06-21T01:13:28Z")
[Eeeeeek!](http://www.ccnmag.com/news.php?id=5275) > [@](#): > > The challenge for his engineering team was to overcome MRI’s dependence on strong magnetic interference. Metals are unsafe in MRIs because the machine relies on a strong magnet, and electric currents distort MR images, says Stoianovici. The team used six of the motors to power the first-ever MRI-compatible robot to access the prostate gland. The robot currently is undergoing preclinical testing. > > “Prostate cancer is tricky because it only can be seen under MRI, and in early stages it can be quite small and easy to miss,” says Stoianovici. Ow! Ow! Ow! ---
**Author:** ![Zambini57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/4491bb/32.png) [@Zambini57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zambini57)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2007, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rise-of-the-machines-prostate-inspecting-robot/408794/2 "2007-06-21T01:31:15Z")
[QUOTE=Tuckerfan] [Eeeeeek!](http://www.ccnmag.com/news.php?id=5275)Ow! Ow! Ow! [/QUOTE] So, I read the link and it seems that this new “plastic robot” will move “alongside” the patient. It’s not like they’re going to drive it up the patient’s ass. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2007, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rise-of-the-machines-prostate-inspecting-robot/408794/3 "2007-06-21T01:42:23Z")
[QUOTE=Zambini57] So, I read the link and it seems that this new “plastic robot” will move “alongside” the patient. It’s not like they’re going to drive it up the patient’s ass. [/QUOTE] That’s just what Skynet _wants_ you to think! ---
**Author:** ![Civil\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d78d45/32.png) [@Civil\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Civil_Guy)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2007, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rise-of-the-machines-prostate-inspecting-robot/408794/4 "2007-06-21T03:20:45Z")
It’s not like a prostate exam is fun no matter who or how it’s being done. [TMI]Well, unless it’s not actually an exam, exactly…[/TMI] ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2007, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rise-of-the-machines-prostate-inspecting-robot/408794/5 "2007-06-21T03:28:10Z")
I keep picturing an [apple peeler](http://www.mychefsfavorites.com/pastry-tools/peelers/apple-peeler--w-suction-cup.html). I’m glad I’m not old yet. ---
**Author:** ![Autolycus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@Autolycus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autolycus)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2007, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rise-of-the-machines-prostate-inspecting-robot/408794/6 "2007-06-21T06:28:01Z")
In Soviet Russia, prostate examines you! Yeah… I got nothin’ ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2007, 10:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rise-of-the-machines-prostate-inspecting-robot/408794/7 "2007-06-21T10:27:44Z")
They’re supposed to give the robot the unpleasant, painful role! This is like a crash test dummy that witnesses you being in an accident! ---
**Author:** ![astcell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d78d45/32.png) [@astcell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astcell)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2007, 10:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rise-of-the-machines-prostate-inspecting-robot/408794/8 "2007-06-21T10:34:11Z")
If it doesn’t find anything, how does it know when to stop? =8-O ---
**Author:** ![Kythereia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2007, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rise-of-the-machines-prostate-inspecting-robot/408794/9 "2007-06-21T16:50:07Z")
I just crossed my legs, and I’m a _girl_. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2007, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rise-of-the-machines-prostate-inspecting-robot/408794/10 "2007-06-21T17:00:16Z")
[QUOTE=Civil Guy] It’s not like a prostate exam is fun no matter who or how it’s being done. [TMI]Well, unless it’s not actually an exam, exactly…[/TMI] [/QUOTE] That reminds me of the funniest “quote” from the internet “Gallery of Misplaced Quotation Marks”: A sign offering > [@](#): > > Free “Prostate Exams”. ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2007, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rise-of-the-machines-prostate-inspecting-robot/408794/11 "2007-06-21T20:20:21Z")
“So, you work for NASA, eh?” “No… Why do you say that?” “Because of your job.” “Huh?” “Yeah, you said you were building a robot to probe Uranus.” “I think you misunderstood…”