Spinal Cord Stimulation Gets Smaller and Smarter with New Device
Pain medicine doctors looking to recommend spinal cord stimulation to chronic pain patients now have a new device to work with. Made by Abbot, the device was recently approved by the FDA for regular use. It combines traditional spinal cord stimulation with smart technologies and better rechargeable batteries.
A quick perusal of the new device clearly shows that spinal cord stimulation is getting smaller and smarter. It should not be a surprise to anyone who follows medical technology. Scientists, designers, and engineers have been working hard to design better medical devices. From wearables to implants, everything is being redesigned in the digital age.
Why It’s a Big Deal
Without getting into all the details of the Abbott device, it is worth noting why it’s such a big deal. There are three things to consider, beginning with size. As you might imagine, spinal cord stimulators can be somewhat uncomfortable despite their ability to relieve pain. Make them smaller and you reduce some of the discomfort. The smaller, the better.
Next up is the rechargeable nature of the device. According to Abbott, the new device only needs to be charged a couple of times per year. That increases the convenience factor considerably. Longer battery life means fewer charges and fewer visits to the doctor.
Finally, adding smart control was brilliant. The device comes with a companion mobile app through which patients can better control how much stimulation the device provides at any given time. In addition, the device’s smart platform can be integrated with other equipment to produce full-body MRI scans.
How Spinal Cord Stimulation Works
Spinal cord stimulation is a pain-relieving therapy rooted in the understanding of how nerves carry pain signals to the brain. The spinal cord is stimulated with minimal electrical currents that interrupt pain signals and replace them with a more pleasant sensation.
Lone Star Pain Medicine is a Weatherford, TX pain clinic that recommends spinal cord stimulation when appropriate. Many of the patients they recommend it to suffer from neuropathic pain. Regardless of the actual condition the patient is suffering from, the principle behind spinal cord stimulation is consistent.
An Outpatient Procedure
Despite implanting a device, the actual procedure is considered an outpatient procedure. The procedure is generally conducted in two stages. The first is the testing stage. This is where a spinal cord stimulator unit is tested without actually being implanted. Only the necessary wires are inserted into the site of injury or disease. The stimulator unit is secured externally throughout the test.
Should the test prove successful, a permanent device can be implanted under the skin by way of a small incision. After implantation, the site is bandaged and monitored for infection.
A Therapy Worth Trying
Although spinal cord stimulation is certainly not appropriate for every type of pain, it is worth trying for things like neuropathy and degenerative disc disease. The fact that the therapy can be tested before permanent implantation makes spinal cord stimulation especially attractive. If it works, a patient can move forward with the second stage. If not, it is easy to remove the test wires, bandage the site, and move on to another treatment.
Lone Star says that the majority of patients who undergo the test procedure do experience enough pain relief to warrant permanent implantation. But they are quick to point out that there are no guarantees. There are always those patients who do not respond well.
Regardless, spinal cord stimulation has come a long way in recent years. Devices are getting smarter and smaller, and doctors are more willing to recommend the therapy.