Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Joshua B. Gafford is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of surgical robotics, soft robotics, and advanced manufacturing, whose work has meaningfully advanced the capabilities of minimally invasive medical devices. His research spans the design and fabrication of millimeter-scale surgical tools, compliant robotic mechanisms, and rehabilitation technologies, with a particular focus on making sophisticated devices accessible through innovative low-cost manufacturing techniques such as Shape Deposition Manufacturing and Pop-up Book MEMS. Gafford's most influential contributions include a soft robotic orthosis for post-stroke wrist rehabilitation (80 citations), which addresses the critical need for accessible physical therapy solutions for hemiparesis patients, and a deployable atraumatic surgical grasper (51 citations) designed for complex laparoscopic procedures. His work on concentric tube robotic systems for bronchoscopy (47 citations) further demonstrates his range across clinical applications. Notably, he has made significant strides in miniaturized force-sensing technology, developing multi-axis force sensors and self-assembling modular sensors that bring tactile feedback to robotic surgical systems. With over 380 cumulative citations, Gafford's research consistently bridges fundamental fabrication science with real clinical impact, offering the surgical community smarter, more dexterous, and more patient-friendly tools.