Rebecca Kokes
Papers
2
Total Citations
74
H-Index
2
About
Rebecca Kokes is a researcher whose work sits at the critical intersection of robotics, medical imaging, and cancer therapy. Her primary research focus is the development of MRI-compatible robotic systems for minimally invasive procedures, specifically targeting the treatment of tumors. Kokes’ most significant contribution is her pioneering work on a teleoperated needle driver robot designed for radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of breast tumors under continuous MRI guidance. Her landmark 2009 paper on this system, which has garnered 67 citations, introduced a novel approach that integrates haptic feedback, allowing surgeons to "feel" tissue resistance during needle insertion while operating within the powerful magnetic field of an MRI scanner. This work directly addressed the limitations of standard RFA procedures, which suffer from poor needle placement accuracy. Her earlier 2008 feasibility study laid the essential groundwork, demonstrating the viability of a 1-DOF MRI-compatible needle driver. By enabling real-time imaging during the procedure, Kokes’ research significantly enhances the precision and safety of tumor ablation, representing a notable step forward in image-guided robotic surgery.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1
- 2