Sarah Baillie

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Dr. Sarah Baillie is a leading researcher in surgical robotics and haptic feedback, with a primary focus on advancing minimally invasive surgery (MIS). Her work centers on the critical integration of tactile and kinesthetic feedback into robotic systems, aiming to restore the sense of touch that surgeons lose during laparoscopic procedures. Her most-cited paper (2012, 12 citations) introduces an experimentally driven design for a palpating gripper, a key contribution that enables surgeons to actively explore and identify tissue properties during MIS—a fundamental step toward safer, more intuitive robotic surgery. Dr. Baillie has also made notable strides in surgical training, investigating how the "fulcrum effect"—the motion inversion caused by the body wall during manual laparoscopy—impacts skill acquisition. Her 2017 study (6 citations) explores a semi-robotic handheld tool designed to negate this effect, offering a novel approach to reducing the steep learning curve in laparoscopic surgery. By bridging engineering design with clinical training needs, Dr. Baillie’s work directly addresses two of the most pressing challenges in modern surgery: enhancing haptic feedback and accelerating skill development. Her research continues to shape the future of robotic-assisted procedures, making surgery more precise, accessible, and effective.