Neurostimulation Device To Treat Chronic Pain: Boston Scientific Receives CE Mar

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Boston Scientific Receives CE Mark For Artisan Surgical Lead For

Use With Neurostimulation Device To Treat Chronic Pain

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=55818

Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE: BSX) today announced that it

has received the European CE Mark for its new Artisan 2x8

Surgical Lead for use with the Precision Spinal Cord Stimulation

(SCS) System. This surgical or " paddle " lead potentially expands the

application of the Company's neurostimulation technology to an

additional 20 percent of people with chronic pain of the limbs, back

or trunk who may require the new lead.

The Artisan 2x8 Surgical Lead features 16 tightly spaced contacts in

a two-column array that are connected to the Precision implantable

pulse generator. This enables each of the 16 Artisan lead contacts

to be independently powered and controlled.

" The Artisan lead addresses the needs of those patients who require

the stability of a surgical lead to reap the benefits of the precise

stimulation technology, " said Akinwunmi, consultant

Neurosurgeon -- special interest in Pain Management from the

Princess Royal Hospital in West Sussex, United Kingdom. " The

combination of the Artisan lead with the Precision System makes

neurostimulation accessible to more patients with chronic pain. "

The Precision SCS System is a small implantable neuromodulation

device that can be easily programmed to fit each patient's needs. It

provides pain relief by delivering electric signals that mask the

pain by inducing a tingling sensation called paresthesia. Patients

can control their pain in a targeted fashion using a convenient

remote control that activates the device.

" The innovative Artisan Surgical Lead enables physicians to use the

Precision SCS System in an additional estimated 20 percent of

chronic pain sufferers who require the features of a paddle lead to

benefit from our novel technology, " said Ed Northup, President of

Boston Scientific's Pain Management business. " Neurostimulation

offers a safe alternative for sufferers of chronic pain,

particularly as it avoids the side effects of painkillers. "

In Europe, one in five people suffers from moderate to severe

chronic pain, and one in three is unable or less able to maintain an

independent lifestyle due to their pain. Between one-half and two-

thirds of people with chronic pain are less able or unable to

exercise, enjoy normal sleep, perform household chores, attend

social activities, drive a car or walk.

Boston Scientific is a worldwide developer, manufacturer and

marketer of medical devices whose products are used in a broad range

of interventional medical specialties. The Neuromodulation Group is

a global leader in the development of implantable, high-technology

neurostimulation devices that include treatments for deafness and

chronic pain. For more information, please visit:

http://www.bostonscientific.com or http://www.controlyourpain.com.