About the Drug Delivery System

The system consists of a pump and catheter, both of which are surgically placed under the skin. The pump is a round device that stores and delivers pain medication. It is typically placed in your abdomen. The catheter (a thin, flexible tube) is inserted into your spine and connected to the pump.

During the surgery, your doctor fills the pump with pain medication using a needle. The pump sends the medication through the catheter to the spinal area where pain receptors are located. You return to your doctor’s office for more medicine when the pump needs to be filled.
How It Works

The spinal cord is like a highway for pain signals that are heading to the brain. When the pump sends pain medication directly to the receptors near the spine, it interrupts the pain signals before they reach the brain.
Our Products

Medtronic offers a variety of drug pump systems tailored for different symptoms, including:

* Programmable systems – With the SynchroMed® System, doses can be scheduled and changed using an external programming device
* Non-programmable systems – The IsoMed® System dispenses medication at a constant flow rate
* Physician programmer – A computer at your doctor’s office that lets your doctor adjust drug pump system parameters (programmable pumps only)
* Patient programmer – A hand-held device that allows you to deliver the dosage of medication that your doctor prescribes (for programmable pumps only)

If a drug pump is an option for you, your doctor will work with you to select the pain treatment system that is most appropriate for your needs.
References

1. Onofrio BM, Yaksh TL. Long-Term Pain Relief Produced by Intrathecal Infusion in 53 Patients. J Neurosurg 1990; 72: 200-209.
2. Winkelmuller M, Winkelmuller W. Long-Term Effects of Continuous Intrathecal Opioid Treatment in Chronic Pain of Nonmalignant Etiology. J Neurosurg 1996; 85: 458-467.
3. Paice JA, Penn RD, Shott S. Intraspinal Morphine for Chronic Pain: A Retrospective, Multicenter Study. J Pain Symptom Manage 1996; 11(2): 71-80.
4. Lamer TJ. Treatment of Cancer-Related Pain: When Orally Administered Medications Fail. Mayo Clin Proc 1994; 69:473-480.
5. Portenoy RK. Management of Common Opioid Side Effects During Long-Term Therapy of Cancer Pain. Ann Acad Med 1994; 23:160-170.

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How It Works

Neurostimulation provides pain relief by modifying (modulating) the pain messages before they reach the brain. Think of it like rubbing your “funny bone” after you’ve bumped it – the rubbing masks the feeling of pain. Similarly, the tingling produced by the neurostimulation system masks the feeling in your area of pain.

You can adjust the strength and location of stimulation using a handheld programmer. For example, you can regulate different levels of stimulation at different times of the day or for various activities – such as walking, sleeping, or sitting.
About the Neurostimulation System

A complete neurostimulation system consists of five parts:

* Neurostimulator – The device that generates the electrical impulses (usually placed under the skin in your abdomen)
* Leads – Special medical wires that deliver neurostimulation to the epidural space near the spine
* Extension – The cable under the skin that connects the lead(s) to the neurostimulator (optional on some systems)
* Physician’s programmer – A computer at your doctor’s office that lets your doctor adjust the neurostimulation system and set stimulation parameters
* Patient’s programmer – A handheld device you can use at home to customize the stimulation (within the settings your doctor has selected)

The neurostimulation system does not make any noise. It may be felt as a small bump under your skin, but does not normally show through your clothes.

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