Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Kaat Van Assche is a rising star in the field of surgical robotics, whose work is redefining the precision and safety of spinal surgery. Her research centers on developing intelligent, autonomous systems for pedicle screw placement—a notoriously delicate procedure requiring millimeter accuracy near the spinal cord. Van Assche’s major contribution lies in pioneering all-ultrasound-based navigation and path planning, a radiation-free alternative to traditional CT and fluoroscopy. Her most cited work, “SafeRPlan” (2024, 16 citations), introduces a safe deep reinforcement learning framework that enables robots to plan screw trajectories intraoperatively, accounting for real-time anatomical constraints. She has further advanced the field by integrating robotic ultrasound scanning for 3D spinal reconstruction and developing long short-term memory networks to compensate for breathing motion during minimally invasive procedures. With five highly focused publications in just two years, Van Assche is rapidly establishing herself as a key innovator in image-guided robotic surgery, pushing the boundaries of what autonomous systems can achieve in the operating room.