Medtronic, a US-based developer of medical devices, has introduced its new implantable neurostimulation systems, also called spinal cord stimulation (SCS) systems, for use in the treatment of chronic, intractable back and limb pain that are FDA approved for full-body Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) under some particular conditions.
The new RestoreSensor SureScan MRI neurostimulation system features SureScan MRI technology and Vectris SureScan MRI percutaneous leads, which are specially designed with enhancements to reduce or eliminate the hazards produced by the MRI environment.
The system also features a proprietary SureScan feature that sets the neurostimulator into an appropriate mode for the MRI environment, which will help radiology departments to confirm the safety of implantable system for MRI scanning on patient.
Medtronic Neuromodulation business pain stimulation and targeted drug delivery vice president Julie Foster said: "The approval of Medtronic's SureScan neurostimulation systems means patients finding relief from their chronic pain with neurostimulation therapy can feel confident knowing they have access to an important diagnostic tool without compromising their healthcare."
It is estimated that 60 million MRI procedures are performed every year worldover. In the US, the number of scans has nearly doubled in the last ten year, with an estimated 32 million scans performed in 2011.
