Wendy Fellows-Mayle

University of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Wendy Fellows-Mayle is a biomedical engineer whose research focuses on improving safety and precision in neurosurgery through innovative instrument design. Her primary contributions lie in the development of active handheld tools and steerable needle systems for brain interventions, addressing critical limitations in current neurosurgical practice. Her most cited work, "Toward Improving Safety in Neurosurgery with an Active Handheld Instrument" (2018), has garnered 37 citations and demonstrates her commitment to reducing procedural risks through real-time feedback mechanisms. In her foundational study "Tip design for safety of steerable needles for robot-controlled brain insertion" (2017), Fellows-Mayle investigated how bevel-tipped flexible needles—which naturally bend during insertion due to their asymmetry—can enable curvilinear trajectories, overcoming the constraints of traditional rigid probes. This work is particularly significant for accessing deep brain targets while avoiding critical structures. Her research bridges mechanical design with clinical application, offering tangible pathways to safer, less invasive neurosurgical procedures. Fellows-Mayle’s contributions are essential reading for engineers and clinicians seeking to understand the biomechanical challenges and solutions in image-guided brain surgery.