FDA Approves Medtronic Closed-Loop Spinal Cord Stimulator

Image credit: Medtronic

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given the greenlight for Medtronic to launch its Inceptiv closed-loop rechargeable spinal cord stimulator (SCS) in the US market.

Used in the treatment of chronic pain, Medtronic’s first SCS device to deliver a closed-loop feature can adjust its electrical stimulation based on the body’s own biological signals.

In contrast, conventional SCS devices work by sending continuous mild impulses that interrupt pain signals prior to reaching the brain – potentially conflicting with the unique movements of a person’s daily life and possibly leading to suboptimal treatment.

Medtronic said the Inceptiv device was capable of sensing the body’s response to stimulation 50 times per second, instantly boosting or reducing impulses to maintain the system’s programming.

“A new era for spinal cord stimulation technology is beginning, and with Inceptiv SCS, Medtronic is at the forefront,” said Medtronic executive, David Carr.

“For patients dealing with chronic pain, every day is a struggle… They deserve the comfort that the smallest and thinnest device on the market can provide.”

Already available in Europe and Japan, Medtronic is due to kick off its US market launch of Inceptiv this month.

Refer to the press release via Medtronic for more details.