The PEDIA-SURG Lab
The Pediatric Devices, Innovations, and Advances in Surgery (PEDIA-SURG) research group is lead by co-principal investigators Timothy B Lautz, MD & Seth D Goldstein, MD, MPhil. The research group is focused on breakthrough technology and innovative clinical trials in the field of pediatric surgery. With an expertise in clinical trial design and implementation, the lab has a particular focus on the fields of fluorescent-guided surgery, robotic surgery and spectroscopy.
Collaboration with thought-leaders in both Industry & Academia underpins the efforts of the PEDIA-SURG group. The Principal Investigators have a proven track-record of success leading a variety of trials, ranging from international collaborative trials supported through the NCI, industry-sponsored phase III trials of novel agents and early-stage pilot studies of exciting new innovations.
Areas of Research Focus
The PEDIA-SURG lab's portfolio of pre-clinical investigation and prospective clinical trials broadly revolves around 3 keys areas.
Novel Molecular Imaging Agents
A major focus of the PEDIA-SURG group is the identification, synthesis, pre-clinical & clinical investigation of novel molecular imaging agents that will augment the surgeon’s visual field. We believe that advances in fluorescent-guided surgery will facilitate a future where surgery is safer, less-invasive and more thorough thanks to these innovations
Surgical Innovation and Robotics
We are at the forefront of investigation into robotic surgery and other novel surgical innovation that will facilitate safer, better and less-invasive surgery.
Active areas of research in this core area including (1) applications of intercostal nerve cyoablation (2) defining the role of robotic bronchoscopy in children and (3) expanding the forefront of minimally-invasive robotic surgery and other surgical innovations in development.
Spectroscopy
Supported by a grant from the Gerber Foundation, PEDIA-SURG co-PI Dr Seth Goldstein is investigating whether trans-cutaneous spectroscopy can detect early “fingerprints” of life-threatening neonatal conditions such as necrotizing enterocolitis and hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy.