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"...if you want to know what your future looks like, don't waste your time on Analog; read Time magazine. We are already saturated in the future. "
- Peter Watts

Autosurgeon  
  A mechanical aid to physicians, performing surgical procedures with surgeons present.  

In the distant future of the novel, people who thought ahead could have themselves "resleeved", that is, placed in another body that was grown for the purpose.

....I caught a glimpse of figures gathered around the surgery platform, the autosurgeon moving spiderlike above them...

...The little knot of figures, immaculately suited to a man and woman, had left the table on which a young female sleeve was laid out, and were gaping at me behind forgotten surgical masks. Only the autosurgeon continued working unperturbed, making smooth incisions and cauterizing wounds with abrupt little sizzlings. Indistinct lumps of raw red poked out of an array o fsmall metal dishes collected at the subject's head. It looked unnervingly like the start of some arcane banquet.

Technovelgy from Altered Carbon, by Richard Morgan.
Published by Del Rey in 2003
Additional resources -

There really are autosurgeons now, just a few years after the publication of the novel.

Take a look at this article on da Vinci Surgical Robot: Dr.'s Helper.

Compare to the emergency treatment tank from Agent of Vega (1949) by James Schmitz, the Gobathian from Time is the Simplest Thing (1961) by Clifford Simak, the surgical homeostatic unit from Now Wait For Last Year (1966) by Philip K. Dick, the autodoc from The Warriors (1966) by Larry Niven, the diagnostat from The Man in the Maze (1969) by Robert Silverberg, electronic body analyzer from The Andromeda Strain (1969) by Michael Crichton and the crechepod from The Godmakers (1972) by Frank Herbert.

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Additional resources:
  More Ideas and Technology from Altered Carbon
  More Ideas and Technology by Richard Morgan
  Tech news articles related to Altered Carbon
  Tech news articles related to works by Richard Morgan

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