Neuromodulation : journal of the International Neuromodulation Society
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Reliability and ease of use of the Itrel 3 System (Medtronic Inc., Minneapolis, MN) were prospectively assessed over 5 years in patients with a range of pain syndromes (mainly low back and/or leg pain, or ischemic pain due to peripheral vascular disease). The longevity of the implantable pulse generator (IPG) battery, the frequency with which system settings were changed, and the ease of use of the EZ patient programmer were assessed. Data on adverse events, pain relief, and patient satisfaction with therapy were also collected. ⋯ The intensity and duration of pain were reduced significantly and patient satisfaction with therapy was high. We conclude that the Itrel 3 System performed well over 5 years and was easy to use. Its safety and effectiveness for the relief of chronic intractable pain of the trunk or limbs were also confirmed.
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The objective of this report is to describe a surgical technique used successfully when a flat or paddle type spinal cord stimulator electrode cannot be properly positioned via a single laminotomy. Different and innovative surgical techniques useful in placement of spinal cord stimulators and analgesic infusion pump systems have not been well described. ⋯ A dual laminotomy technique can be useful and successful in positioning a flat spinal cord stimulator electrode that cannot be properly positioned via a single laminotomy approach. We report two patients who have been treated successfully with a dual laminotomy technique.
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The objective of this study was to develop a high bit-rate passive method for conveying ENG signals from implants which would work over a wide range of coupling coefficients. A novel method, Passive Phase Shift Modulation, was studied in theory, by simulation, and implemented in the laboratory. A binary signal of 222 kbit/s was passed on a 4-MHz carrier (ratio 1:18) with coil-coil spacings up to 70 mm (coil diameters are 45 and 60 mm) with an addition to the power consumption equivalent to 2 mW in the implant. We conclude that this is a satisfactory method to be used as part an implant for conditional neuromodulation that we are designing.