Neuromodulation : journal of the International Neuromodulation Society
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Centers for Disease Control (CDC) data indicate that the incidence of tetanus in the United States is highest among the elderly. Conventional therapies for the control of accompanying generalized muscle spasms include large doses of oral or intravenous GABA agonists as antispasticity agents. ⋯ Accordingly, we report the first placement of a permanent implanted infusion pump for this disease. This modality offers advantage for continuous long-term titration of medication for spasms or rigidity control without the systemic sedative effects of conventional therapy.
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This paper is an overview of the results of computer modeling of spinal cord stimulation, started ten years ago at the University of Twente, The Netherlands. Results are given of the analysis of various geometrical factors, including spinal anatomy, which influence the effect of spinal cord stimulation on nerve fiber recruitment and paresthesia coverage. ⋯ Two new electrode types are presented: the narrow bi-/tripole and the transverse tripole. The latter also enables adjusting the body area affected with paresthesia by means of a dual channel pulse generator giving simultaneous pulses, thereby limiting surgical interventions for electrode repositioning.