Emma K. Pinegar

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About

Emma K. Pinegar is pioneering the next generation of minimally invasive surgical tools through her work in medical robotics and magnetic actuation. Her research focuses on developing novel steerable needle systems that can navigate complex, curved paths through soft tissue with unprecedented precision. Pinegar’s most notable contribution is the "Screw-Tip Soft Magnetically Steerable Needle," introduced in her 2023 paper (11 citations). This design represents a paradigm shift: instead of pushing a needle into tissue, the needle is rotated at its proximal end, allowing a screw-tip to pull itself through the body. A permanent magnet near the tip enables external magnetic steering, granting the physician real-time control over the needle’s trajectory. This approach dramatically reduces tissue damage and improves targeting accuracy for procedures like biopsies and drug delivery. Though early in her career, Pinegar’s work has already garnered attention for its potential to transform interventional radiology. Her innovative combination of bio-inspired screw mechanics with magnetic control marks her as a rising leader in soft-tissue robotics and image-guided interventions.