Nick J. van de Berg

Delft University of Technology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute

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About

Nick J. van de Berg is a pioneering researcher in the field of medical robotics and interventional technologies, with a primary focus on steerable needle systems for minimally invasive surgery. His work centers on developing novel actuated-tip needles that can be precisely controlled and steered through soft tissues, addressing a critical challenge in procedures like prostate brachytherapy and other needle-based interventions. Van de Berg’s major contributions include the integration of Fiber Bragg Grating sensors for real-time needle shape sensing and steering control, as demonstrated in his highly cited 2015 paper (43 citations), which models and validates these techniques in soft-tissue simulants. He has also advanced the field by enabling teleoperated robotic control of steerable needles under MRI guidance, as shown in his 2023 work (6 citations), which validates feasibility for MR-guided HDR prostate brachytherapy—a notable achievement that combines enhanced visualization, precision, and safety. His research directly improves clinical outcomes by reducing unwanted needle deflections and expanding access to difficult-to-reach tumor volumes. With a growing citation impact, van de Berg continues to shape the future of image-guided, robot-assisted interventions.