"World's smallest neurostimulator" approved in Australia for chronic pain
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
St Jude Medical's Eon Mini neurostimulator has been approved by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration for chronic pain. The matchbox-sized Eon Mini, which the St Paul, Minnesota firm claims is the world's smallest and longest-lasting rechargeable device in its class, will be used to treat chronic pain of the trunk or limbs and pain from failed back surgery. It is typically implanted in a patient's lower back, and connected to electrical leads which are placed near the spinal cord. These deliver electrical pulses to interrupt or mask the pain signal as it travels to the brain. Eon Mini received US FDA approval and was CE marked for sale in Europe in April 2008.