Catherine Po Ling Chan
Papers
2
Total Citations
148
H-Index
2
About
Catherine Po Ling Chan is a pioneering roboticist whose work sits at the intersection of soft robotics and interventional medicine, with a particular focus on MRI-guided surgical systems. Her most influential contribution is the development of a soft robotic manipulator for intraoperative MRI-guided transoral laser microsurgery, a 2021 paper that has garnered 144 citations. This work addresses a critical challenge in precision oncology: leveraging MRI’s high-contrast soft tissue imaging and real-time thermometry to guide laser ablation of tumors, while overcoming the spatial constraints and electromagnetic interference of the MRI environment. Chan’s robot is notable for its compliant, MRI-compatible design, enabling safe, dexterous manipulation within the bore. More recently, she has advanced the field with a variable-stiffness nasotracheal intubation robot featuring passive buffering, demonstrated in mannequin studies (2025). This modular platform highlights her commitment to translating soft robotics into safer, more adaptable clinical tools. Her research is distinguished by its focus on patient safety and procedural precision, making her a rising leader in medical robotics with clear translational impact.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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