LOS ANGELES, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- U.S. researchers are working on a new device that would help doctors perform surgical tasks that are nearly impossible today.

    The snake-like robot and steady-hand system would equip the operating room of the future and help doctors treat patients more safely and effectively, said a report on the website eurekalert.org.

    Drawing on advances in robotics and computer technology, Johns Hopkins University researchers were designing the robot with two thin rods tipped with tentacle-like tools capable of moving with six degrees of freedom.

    The tools could enable surgeons, who operate in the narrow throat region, to make incisions and tie sutures with greater dexterity and precision. Another robot, the steady-hand, may curb a surgeon's natural tremor and allow the doctor to inject drugs into tiny blood vessels in the eye, dissolving clots that can damage vision.

    With most of the new medical tools linked to computers, the device would record the doctors' work, allowing doctors to check data describing how well a patient responded to the treatment. From this review, doctors could learn which techniques and procedures were most effective.

    "We could produce the equivalent of a flight-data recorder for the operating room," said Russell H. Taylor, a professor of computer science involving in the research.

    The emphasis is on futuristic technology, but "we're not trying to replace or automate surgeons," Taylor said. "We want to work in partnership with surgeons to help them do their work more effectively."

    He said human hands are remarkable, but they have limitations. "There are times when it would be useful to have a 'third hand,' and we can provide that."