Research Summary
Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide. Minimally invasive cardiovascular surgeries are the main treatment for many of these—but the procedures use long, flexible catheters that surgeons must guide through complex anatomy. This is not only difficult, but may expose clinicians to harmful radiation. As Canada Research Chair in Systems and Devices for Cardiovascular Interventions, Dr. Mohammad Tavallaei is developing next-generation robotic systems to improve catheter-based cardiovascular interventions.
He and his research team are advancing a miniaturized robotic tool for restoring blood flow in blocked arteries. In another project, they are enhancing remote catheter navigation using a new technology that improves precision while reducing radiation exposure. A third project involves building robotic hands and visual feedback systems to enable fully remote surgery. Together, these innovations aim to improve patient outcomes, increase clinician safety, and make advanced cardiovascular care more accessible.