Focus Areas

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

• Brain machine interface. Dr. Van Gompel's lab has led the country in developing novel approaches for stimulation, including posterior approach anterior nucleus deep brain stimulation (DBS) and chronic subthreshold stimulation for epilepsy. The lab has also focused on the hardware and biomarkers associated with stimulation of the brain, which has prompted the development of companies such as Cadence Neuroscience and Neuro One.
• Epilepsy DBS implant. Dr. Van Gompel is participating in a post-approval study to further evaluate the long-term safety and effectiveness of a Medtronic deep brain stimulation (DBS) therapy for epilepsy on seizure reduction in newly implanted participants through three years of follow-up in different geographic populations.
• Minimally invasive cortical surgery. Currently the lab is seeking a Food and Drug Administration investigational device exemption for a device adding in access for minimally invasive cortical surgery assisted with a flexible endoscope. We continue to pursue human and animal studies to develop this technique of surgery.
• Pituitary outcome research. The lab has focused on novel imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance elastography to understand tumor consistency, as well as continued analysis of patient series to understand better pituitary tumor surgery. Due to the high volume of pituitary tumor surgery at Mayo Clinic and patients with unique syndromes, much can still be learned.
• Skull base tumor research. Heavy referral of skull base meningiomas, esthesioneuroblastomas and chordomas allows us to continue contributing to important research in these tumor fields that impact patient outcome.
• Education. The lab is also interested in novel simulation, 3D printing and education techniques leading to the next generation of leaders and surgeons.