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Medtronic Announces First Implant of
Totally Implantable Dual Lead System To
Treat Complex Chronic Pain
PR Newswire - September 28, 1998 11:21
MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Medtronic, Inc.
(NYSE: MDT) today announced the first human use of the
Synergy(TM) Neurostimulation System, the next step in
treating patients suffering from the debilitating chronic
pain of the trunk or limbs. The Synergy system provides
physicians with the first fully implantable, dual channel
system designed to control complex pain. Until now, complex
pain could only be treated with externally powered
neurostimulation systems. The Synergy system is designed to
enable many of these patients to receive pain control from a
totally implantable system, allowing them freedom to live
more active lifestyles.
The new Synergy Neurostimulation Systems were implanted by
Dr. Eric Buchser, at Hopital de Zone in Morges, Switzerland
and by Dr. Jean-Pierre Van Buyten at AZ Maria Middelares
Kliniek in Sint-Niklaas, Belgium. The patients, an 82-year-old
female, suffering from spinal stenosis and a 59-year-old male
suffering from failed back surgery syndrome are reported to
be recovering normally and are experiencing pain relief.
The Synergy System, which contains a battery and
microelectronic circuitry, is placed under the skin in the
abdomen and connected to two leads, which are placed near
the spinal cord. The system is designed to send mild electrical
impulses through the leads to the spinal cord where the pain
signal is perceived. These electrical impulses may block the
pain signals before they reach the brain. The Synergy System
uses two independent stimulation programs working in
concert to treat more complex pain patterns. Among the
Synergy Neurostimulator's features is its ability to interface
with a hand-held Synergy EZ(TM) programmer which allows
patients to adjust levels of stimulation within certain
parameters.
"The Synergy system is a great advancement in the treatment
of chronic pain," said Buchser. "In the past, we used external
devices to treat patients with complex pain. Now we can use a
totally implantable device to relieve their pain."
The Synergy Neurostimulator and the Synergy EZ
programmer are not yet approved for clinical use in the
United States.
Chronic Pain is a major problem in society. It is estimated that
3.9 million people in the United States suffer from chronic
back pain, approximately 600,000 of these patients are
candidates for spine surgery and 100,000 are candidates for
spinal cord stimulation.
"Medtronic remains committed to offering the most
technologically advanced devices to provide solutions for
people suffering from chronic pain," said Mike Selzer, vice
president and general manager of Medtronic's
neurostimulation business. "The Synergy Neurostimulator is
designed to offer patients an easy-to-use solution to relieve
their disabling pain."
Medtronic, Inc., headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., is the
world's leading medical technology company specializing in
implantable and interventional therapies. Its Internet
address is medtronic.com.
SOURCE Medtronic, Inc.
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