Autodoc

An autodoc, or AutoDoc, was a fully-automated medical scanning, diagnostic, and treatment device equipped with an overhead visual display and a surgical tool-kit.

Overview

While autodocs lacked the ability to perform complex surgeries like a Pauling MedPod 720i, an autodoc could treat lesser wounds, infections, and was also able to reset broken bones. As it was also less expensive, the autodoc was more widespread than the Pauling, with almost every colony, station, and ship being equipped with at least one such device.

History

Following USCSS Nostromo crewmember Thomas Kane's infection by a mysterious alien parasite on the moon of LV-426 in 2122, ship's captain Arthur Dallas and science officer Ash examined the executive officer using the onboard autodoc located in ship's the infirmary.

Director’s Cut

Later, warrant officer Ellen Ripley encountered Dallas trapped in a nest created by the alien that had emerged from Kane; Ripley offered to help the captain to the autodoc, though Dallas ultimately convinced her to euthanize him with her flamethrower.

Appearances

• Alien/novel
• Alien: The Illustrated Story
• Alien: Isolation
• Jonesy: Nine Lives on the Nostromo
• Alien: The Blueprints
• Alien: The Original Screenplay
• Alien: The Roleplaying Game (mentioned only)
• Alien: Fate of the Nostromo
• Trojan Horse
• Aliens: Dark Descent

Gallery

Ash activating an autodoc aboard the USCSS Nostromo as seen in the film Alien.

An autodoc running a diagnostic on Kane in the device's support chamber.

Ash reviewing the autodoc's diagnosis of Kane on its display screen.

The autodoc's diagnostic display screen.

Kane laying on the autodoc's surgical table.

The autodoc and its surgical tool-kit.

The USCSS Nostromo's autodoc as seen in the comic book adaptation Alien: The Illustrated Story.

Ash and Dallas reviewing the autodoc's diagnosis of Kane on its display screen.

An autodoc aboard the USSCS Snark as seen in the comic book addaptation Alien: The Original Screenplay.

Broussard laying in the autodoc aboard the USSCS Snark.

Roby and Hunter reviewing the autodoc's diagnostic analysis on the USSCS Snark.

An autodoc on the USCSS Nostromo as seen in the children's book Jonesy: Nine Lives on the Nostromo.

A blueprint of the autodoc within the infirmary as seen in Alien: The Blueprints by Graham J. Langridge.

An autodoc on the USCSS Nostromo as seen in the board game Alien: Fate of the Nostromo.

Concept art

Concept art of the autodoc medical device by Ron Cobb.

Concept art of the Autodoc's Semiotic Standard entryway icon by Cobb.

See also

• Pauling MedPod 720i - A similar surgical device kept aboard the USCSS Prometheus.
• Neuroscanner - A similar medical diagnostic device found in Type 337 EEVs.
• Vampire box - A similar medical diagnostic device.