Abstract:

Precise needle insertion is a cornerstone of robotic surgery, particularly for minimally invasive procedures that demand exceptional accuracy, control, and adaptability within complex anatomical environments. Vision-guided robotic manipulation offers a promising solution by integrating Computer Vision, Artificial Intelligence, and multimodal sensing to achieve precise needle targeting, real-time feedback, and adaptive control. This talk will delve into recent advancements in robotic needle insertion systems, with a focus on how these technologies enable ultrasound-guided precise needle injection systems targeting for challenging procedures, including peripheral and cardiac intravenous access, and pleural effusion treatment. We will present the latest results and innovations that are enhancing precision and autonomy in needle injection applications, ultimately advancing the capabilities of robotic-assisted interventions.

Biography:

Dr. Maria Koskinopoulou is an Assistant Professor in Robotics and Computer Vision at the Institute of Signals, Sensors, and Systems (ISSS) within the School of Engineering & Physical Sciences (EPS) at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK. She runs the newly established ARM²Lab – Autonomous Robotic Manipulation & Multi-Agent Systems Lab at Heriot-Watt and the National Robotarium, she is an active member of the renowned Ocean Systems Lab, led by Yvan Petillot. She is extensively involved in major UKRI and EU-funded research projects, including HUME and the Leonardo Prosperity Partnership, advancing robotic manipulation, surgical and underwater robotics, autonomous assembly, and waste sorting. Before joining Heriot-Watt, she was a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Biomedical Robotics Lab at the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Genoa. She also gained industry experience during an internship at ABB Corporate Research Center in Västerås, Sweden. She holds a Meng in Electrical and Computer Engineering, an MSc in Computational Neuroscience, and a PhD in Robotics and Computer Science from the University of Crete (2020). Her research interests include Robotic Manipulation, Perception, Robot Vision, Medical Robotics, Human-Robot Interaction, and Machine Learning.