Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Nicola Cavalcanti is a leading researcher at the intersection of robotics, medical imaging, and orthopedic surgery, with a primary focus on advancing spinal fusion procedures. Her work centers on developing non-radiative, robot-assisted ultrasound (US) systems for intraoperative navigation and 3D reconstruction of the lumbar spine, aiming to replace traditional CT and fluoroscopy guidance. Cavalcanti’s major contributions include the creation of the X23D framework for real-time 3D US reconstruction and the SafeRPlan system, a deep reinforcement learning approach for safe, automated pedicle screw placement planning. Her research has demonstrated translational impact, moving from bench-top validation to pre-clinical animal studies, with her 2023 paper on robot-assisted US reconstruction accumulating 26 citations. She has also addressed critical clinical challenges, such as reducing residual forces in spinal fusion through custom rod bending and developing domain adaptation strategies to bridge the gap between synthetic and real fluoroscopy data. With over 70 total citations across her most-cited works, Cavalcanti is recognized for her innovative integration of safe AI planning and robotic autonomy, positioning her as a key figure in the future of radiation-free, image-guided spine surgery.