Pain Pacemaker

Neurostimulation
Video Length -- 10:53 min

The Pacemaker Screening Trial

Watch how the pacemaker works

In order to have a neurostimulation system implanted, you must first have a successful neurostimulation trial. The trial screening procedure - or test stimulation - consists of a short test stimulation procedure and an evaluation period of several days at home.

• You receive local anesthesia, and then your doctor carefully inserts the lead (a special insulated wire) through a needle in the mid-back.
• During the screening test, the doctor or nurse asks questions about the location and intensity of the stimulation, or tingling sensation. This process continues until they have found the best pain coverage.
• After the lead is inserted, the test period may continue for several days. The screener, which is still attached to the implanted lead, is sent home with you. During this time, you test the system by adjusting the screener to meet your pain management needs.

More Pain Pacemaker Information

Fully implanted neurostimulation system (left) and a neurostimulation system with an external power source (right).

There are two types of neurostimulation systems:

1. Two versions of a fully implanted system with an internal power source.
   • The fully non-rechargeable implanted system uses a battery that is implanted beneath the skin.
   • A fully implanted system that has a rechargeable battery.
2. An implanted system with an external power source.
   • The externally powered system uses a battery source that is worn outside the body.
   • It provides power without the need of a surgical procedure to replace a worn-out power supply.
   • The externally powered system requires an antenna to be placed on the skin with an adhesive patch in order to receive stimulation. (The antenna sends a signal from the transmitter to the receiver when placed on the skin over the receiver.)

Your doctor will work with you to help you select the system that is most appropriate for your needs.

RestoreULTRA is the latest addition to the Medtronic family of neurostimulators. It is a fully implanted system with a rechargeable battery. RestoreULTRA is the smallest and thinnest 16-electrode neurostimulator available and is intended for patients who have pain associated with post laminectomy, failed back surgery syndrome, unsuccessful disk surgery, degenerative disk disease and other causes of chronic pain.

RestoreULTRA is equipped with Medtronic’s most sophisticated technology to help the clinician better target your pain.

• RestoreULTRA is the smallest, thinnest 16-electrode neurostimulator on the market. Its compact, ergonomic shape allows for greater flexibility when choosing an implant site—even in smaller patients
• Clinicians can use up to four leads to customize the therapy and treat multiple pain sites at the same time
• A recharge interval of approximately two weeks* means you do not have to recharge daily. When you are recharging, you can remain mobile
• RestoreULTRA offers an amplitude of up to 10.5V and raises the upper limits of both rate (up to 1,200 HZ) and pulse width (up to 1,000 microseconds) to power effective pain relief therapy

Ask your doctor if RestoreULTRA is right for you. For more information, visit www.Medtronic.com.

Recharge intervals vary based on parameter settings.

RESTOREADVANCED™ and PRIMEADVANCED™ Neurostimulators

RESTOREADVANCED and PRIMEADVANCED Neurostimulators from Medtronic

The ADVANCED neurostimulators are designed for people who are trying to control pain resulting from conditions such as failed back syndrome, post laminectomy pain, unsuccessful disk surgery or degenerative disk disease, and other causes of chronic pain.

Available as rechargeable and nonrechargeable systems, these neurostimulators from Medtronic offer programming features that help clinicians and patients manage pain more easily.

What is the difference between rechargeable and nonrechargeable neurostimulators?

• RESTOREADVANCED is a rechargeable neurostimulator equipped with a battery that can be recharged. This battery has a 9-year FDA approved battery life. It is the longest lasting battery on the market. This is helpful to people who require stronger stimulation to relieve their pain.
• PRIMEADVANCED is a nonrechargeable neurostimulator designed for people who do not have high energy needs or do not want the maintenance of a rechargeable battery, for the management of their pain.

What are the benefits of the RESTOREADVANCED and PRIMEADVANCED neurostimulators?

Medtronic neurostimulation systems include a hand-held programmer that allows you to adjust stimulation levels within certain parameters and it allows you to also turn your system on or off. Physicians and patients are excited about the ADVANCED line of neurostimulators from Medtronic because they can be easily programmed.

With the ADVANCED line of neurostimulators, you can:

• Associate different levels of stimulation to various activities and times of day—such as walking, sleeping, sitting, day, and night
• Assign a name or icon to up to 26 stimulation settings so they can be easily accessed
• Quickly find an optimal pain relief setting
• myStim^® diary automatically log stimulation usage patterns for your doctor to evaluate

Are ADVANCED neurostimulators right for me?

There are a variety of neurostimulation systems available with different features tailored for different pain symptoms. If you are a candidate for neurostimulation, your doctor can work with you to determine if RESTOREADVANCED or PRIMEADVANCED are possible options for you.