Janet E. Ondrake
Papers
1
Total Citations
14
H-Index
1
About
Dr. Janet E. Ondrake is a biomedical engineer whose research lies at the intersection of medical robotics, interventional ultrasound, and thermal ablation therapies. Her most impactful work, "Tracked 3D ultrasound targeting with an active cannula" (2012, 14 citations), introduced a novel system that combines a steerable, shape-changing needle—an active cannula—with real-time 3D ultrasound tracking. This innovation enables precise, percutaneous targeting of soft tissue tumors, allowing for mechanically and electronically shapable thermal energy deposition through a single organ surface puncture. The system addresses a critical challenge in cancer treatment: effectively ablating large, multiple, or geometrically complex tumors while minimizing invasiveness. By integrating robotic needle steering with advanced imaging guidance, Ondrake’s work lays the foundation for more accurate, less traumatic tumor ablation procedures. Her contributions are particularly notable for bridging the gap between robotic control and clinical ultrasound, offering a pathway toward safer, more adaptable thermal therapies. With a citation count reflecting the foundational nature of her research, Ondrake continues to influence the fields of image-guided intervention and surgical robotics, inspiring new approaches to minimally invasive cancer care.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1Tracked 3D ultrasound targeting with an active cannula14 citations · 2012