Papers
13
Total Citations
298
H-Index
11
About
Neal P. Dillon is a biomedical engineer and robotics researcher whose work sits at the intersection of surgical robotics, minimally invasive procedures, and otologic surgery. His research has made significant strides in developing robotic systems for some of the most delicate and technically demanding surgical environments in the human body, particularly the ear and airway. Dillon's most impactful contributions include the development of compact, bone-attached robotic systems for mastoidectomy — a challenging procedure requiring precise removal of temporal bone near critical structures — as well as pioneering concentric tube robots capable of navigating confined anatomical pathways. His 2019 feasibility study on robotic bronchoscopy for central airway obstruction (47 citations) and his landmark work on a miniature robotic endoscope capable of passing through the Eustachian tube to visualize the middle ear (39 citations) demonstrate the breadth of his innovation. Beyond the ear and airway, Dillon has extended robotic approaches to prostatectomy and hysteroscopy, reflecting a versatile engineering vision. His probabilistic safety modeling work further underscores his commitment to patient safety in high-stakes robotic interventions. Across his career, Dillon has helped transform surgical robotics from orthopedic-scale applications into the realm of microscale, life-critical anatomy.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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- 4A Compact, Bone-Attached Robot for Mastoidectomy36 citations · 2015
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- 8A Novel Robotic Endoscopic Device Used for Operative Hysteroscopy18 citations · 2020
- 9Preliminary testing of a compact bone-attached robot for otologic surgery18 citations · 2014
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