Heinz Fankhauser
University Hospital of Lausanne, Shibaura Institute of Technology
Papers
7
Total Citations
265
H-Index
6
About
Heinz Fankhauser is a pioneering figure in the field of stereotactic neurosurgery, where his work has fundamentally advanced the integration of robotics into clinical practice. His primary research focuses on the development of robotic systems for precise, minimally invasive brain surgery, particularly for procedures like biopsies and functional neurosurgery. Fankhauser’s most significant contribution is the creation of the Minerva neurosurgical robot, a groundbreaking system designed to operate within a CT scanner, enabling real-time imaging and unparalleled accuracy. His seminal 1995 paper on Minerva, which has garnered 128 citations, details the robot’s mechanical design and software, and reports on the first eight successful clinical operations—a landmark achievement that demonstrated the feasibility of robotic stereotaxy. Beyond Minerva, Fankhauser also developed a robotic system for three-dimensional positioning of stimulation electrodes, a critical innovation for functional neurosurgery that reduces the need for multiple brain penetrations. His work, spanning from the late 1980s through the 1990s, laid the essential groundwork for modern computer-assisted neurosurgery, establishing principles of safety, precision, and intraoperative imaging that continue to influence the field today.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1Neurosurgical robot Minerva: First results and current developments128 citations · 1995
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- 3Robot for CT-Guided Stereotactic Neurosurgery36 citations · 1995
- 4Configuration of a Robot Dedicated to Stereotactic Surgery31 citations · 1990
- 5Development of a New Microsurgical Robot for Stereotactic Neurosurgery23 citations · 1990
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- 7