Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Tomohiko Akahoshi is a leading roboticist whose work is transforming minimally invasive gastrointestinal surgery. His research focuses on developing advanced robotic systems for endoluminal procedures, particularly for the early detection and treatment of colorectal and gastric cancers. Akahoshi’s major contributions include pioneering a new class of robotic-assisted flexible endoscopes. His most cited work, a 2018 study on a single-hand control robotic endoscope for endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), has garnered 62 citations and demonstrated a significant leap in surgical dexterity. He further advanced the field with a self-propelled colonoscopy robot using flexible paddles (23 citations), addressing the critical need for less painful and more effective colorectal cancer screening. Akahoshi also made early, impactful contributions to surgical robotics by integrating image-guided functions into the da Vinci system (22 citations), laying groundwork for precision navigation. His more recent work on stress dispersion in continuum compliant structures for multi-DOF endoluminal forceps continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in natural orifice surgery. Through his innovative designs and rigorous ex vivo validations, Akahoshi is steadily making complex endoscopic procedures safer, more accessible, and less invasive for patients worldwide.