Benjamin N. Eldridge

IBM (United States), IBM Research - Thomas J. Watson Research Center

Papers

Total Citations

233

H-Index

About

Benjamin N. Eldridge is a pioneering roboticist whose research has fundamentally shaped the field of computer-assisted surgery, particularly in the domain of minimally invasive procedures. His key contributions center on the design, control, and evaluation of surgical robots for laparoscopy, with a focus on solving the unique kinematic challenges of operating within constrained anatomical workspaces. Eldridge’s most influential work, “Constrained Cartesian motion control for teleoperated surgical robots” (149 citations), established optimal control strategies for maneuvering instruments through narrow entry portals, a critical problem in telesurgery. He also co-developed the remote center of motion (RCM) robotic arm, a landmark design that kinematically constrains instrument translation to minimize trauma at the port of entry. Further advancing the field, Eldridge led the control and ergonomic evaluation of the 7-axis HISAR robot for laparoscopic camera navigation, incorporating a passive wrist for natural compliance. Through collaborative efforts between IBM Research and Johns Hopkins University, his comparative analysis of manipulator designs provided foundational engineering insights that continue to inform modern surgical robotics.