Yoshiaki Minakawa

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Yoshiaki Minakawa is a pioneering researcher in microsurgical robotics and skill assessment, whose work bridges the gap between human dexterity and robotic precision. His key research areas include surgical skill quantification, haptic feedback systems, and intelligent surgical robotic control. Minakawa’s major contribution lies in developing a novel microsurgical skill assessment system that integrates infrared optical markers, inertial measurement units, and strain gauges directly onto surgical tweezers. This system enables the objective measurement of tool tip trajectory, acceleration, and applied force during delicate procedures, providing a data-driven foundation for training and robotic automation. His 2011 paper on this topic, with 22 citations, laid critical groundwork for skill-based surgical robotic control, influencing subsequent research in automated surgery and teleoperation. By transforming subjective surgical expertise into quantifiable metrics, Minakawa has advanced both surgical education and the development of intelligent robotic assistants, making him a notable figure in the intersection of robotics, biomechanics, and medical technology.