Sandra Kunze

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Sandra Kunze is a pioneering researcher in the field of computer-assisted neurosurgery, with a specific focus on developing safer, more intelligent tools for cranial interventions. Her work centers on the critical challenge of trepanation—the surgical opening of the skull—where injury to the underlying dura mater remains a frequent and serious complication. Kunze’s major contribution lies in the concept of synergistic robotic control, where a robotic instrument works in cooperative tandem with the surgeon rather than replacing them. Her most cited paper, "A Novel Concept for Smart Trepanation" (2012, 14 citations), introduces a system designed to preserve soft tissue while automatically controlling depth, dramatically reducing the risk of dural tears. In her earlier foundational work, "Concept and evaluation of a synergistic controlled robotic instrument for trepanation in neurosurgery" (2011, 9 citations), she detailed a robotic saw that combines soft tissue preservation with automatic depth control, aiming to improve both safety and bone reintegration. Though her citation counts are modest, Kunze’s research represents a critical step toward making routine neurosurgical procedures safer and more precise, directly addressing a common intraoperative hazard with elegant mechatronic solutions.