Research

The Device Development and Experimental Therapeutics Lab invests in numerous clinical trials in support of several areas of research:

  • Brain machine interface. Dr. Van Gompel's lab is leading the country in developing novel approaches for stimulation, including posterior approach anterior nucleus deep brain stimulation and chronic subthreshold stimulation for epilepsy. The lab also focuses on the hardware and biomarkers associated with stimulation of the brain. This research has prompted the development of companies such as Cadence Neuroscience and NeuroOne.
Neurosurgical investigational device

This is an example of a device created and used in a series of patients after U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval to assess its usefulness in minimally invasive cortical surgery.

  • Minimally invasive cortical surgery. The lab has closed its trial with a U.S. Food and Drug Administration investigational exemption for a device for minimally invasive cortical surgery assisted with a flexible endoscope. Dr. Van Gompel and his colleagues continue to pursue human and animal studies to develop this surgical technique.
  • Pituitary outcome research. The lab focuses on novel imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance elastography to understand tumor consistency. In addition, ongoing work with dynamic CT angiography and other imaging devices focuses on improving outcomes for patients with magnetic resonance negative pituitary microadenomas. Dr. Van Gompel's group also follows continued analyses of patient series to better understand pituitary tumor surgery. Due to the high volume of pituitary tumor surgery at Mayo Clinic and people with unique syndromes, much can still be learned.
Mayo Clinic Adenoma of the Pituitary Enterprise Registry (MAPER)

MAPER is a prospective and retrospective database with over 1,200 cases that tracks pituitary outcomes granularly and integrates into machine learning and artificial intelligence outcomes for individualized patient treatment.

  • Skull base tumor research. Mayo Clinic experiences many referrals of skull base meningiomas, esthesioneuroblastomas and chordomas. These cases allow the lab to continue contributing important research in these tumor fields that impact patient outcomes.
Esthesioneuroblastoma and chordoma microscopy

At left is esthesioneuroblastoma microscopy, hematoxylin-eosin stain of esthesioneuroblastoma. At right is chordoma microscopy, hematoxylin-eosin stain of chord.

  • Education. The lab also is interested in novel simulation, 3D printing and education techniques to assist the next generation of leaders and surgeons.