Neil T. Clancy

Papers

Total Citations

114

H-Index

About

Neil T. Clancy is a leading researcher in biomedical optics and surgical imaging, whose work is transforming how surgeons visualize and navigate during minimally invasive procedures. His primary research areas include 3D intraoperative imaging, structured illumination, and advanced visualization systems for robotic-assisted surgery. Clancy’s most impactful contribution is the development of a spectrally encoded fiber-based structured lighting probe for intraoperative 3D imaging (60 citations), which enables real-time quantification of organ shape and structure during minimally invasive surgery (MIS)—a critical step for registering pre-operative data like MRI or CT with live optical views. He further advanced surgical precision with a robust surface tracking algorithm that combines features, intensity, and illumination compensation (39 citations), improving the reliability of dynamic organ tracking. Clancy also pioneered a gaze-contingent autofocus system for surgical robots, allowing surgeons to change focus in tens of milliseconds using only eye control—a novel human-machine interface that enhances ergonomics and speed. His work on light sources for single-access surgery (10 citations) addresses the unique constraints of NOTES and single-port procedures. With a career focused on bridging optics and clinical practice, Clancy’s innovations are paving the way for smarter, more intuitive surgical tools that improve outcomes in complex, minimally invasive operations.