Richard Malthaner
Western University, University of Toronto, London Health Sciences Centre
Papers
15
Total Citations
294
H-Index
10
About
Richard Malthaner is a thoracic surgeon and biomedical researcher whose work sits at the intersection of minimally invasive surgery, surgical robotics, and oncological treatment. His research has focused primarily on developing innovative solutions to the fundamental challenges of minimally invasive cancer surgery — most notably, the inability to physically palpate tumors through small incisions. His most influential contribution, a tactile sensing instrument (TSI) for intraoperative tumor localization, has garnered over 110 citations and demonstrated that distributed pressure sensing technology could meaningfully restore diagnostic capability lost in minimally invasive approaches. Malthaner is perhaps best recognized for pioneering robot-assisted minimally invasive lung brachytherapy, a body of work spanning multiple publications and representing a sustained effort to refine radioactive seed implantation for lung cancer patients who cannot tolerate open surgery. His MIRA system integrated robotic delivery, electromagnetic navigation, and dosimetry planning into a cohesive clinical workflow. More recently, his prospective multicenter trial evaluating ultrasonic energy for pulmonary artery sealing in VATS lobectomy reflects an ongoing commitment to improving the safety and reliability of thoracoscopic procedures. Across his career, Malthaner's research has shaped how surgeons approach lung cancer treatment with minimally invasive and robotic tools.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1Robot-assisted Tactile Sensing for Minimally Invasive Tumor Localization110 citations · 2009
- 2Robot‐assisted minimally invasive lung brachytherapy38 citations · 2007
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- 6A device for robot-assisted minimally-invasive lung brachytherapy17 citations · 2006
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- 9Robot-Assisted Minimally Invasive Brachytherapy for Lung Cancer12 citations · 2007
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