St. Jude Medical, a global medical device company, announced regulatory approval from the Japanese ministry of health, labor and welfare of the Eon Mini spinal cord stimulation (SCS) system. The world’s smallest, longest-lasting rechargeable neurostimulator, the Eon Mini device is the first rechargeable spinal cord stimulator to be approved for use in Japan. Spinal cord stimulators manage chronic pain of the trunk or limbs and pain from failed back surgery by delivering mild electrical pulses to the spinal cord, which interrupt or mask the pain signals’ transmission to the brain.
Slightly larger than the typical man’s watch, the Eon Mini neurostimulator has a thin 10 mm profile and weighs 29 grams. Additionally, the device has the greatest recommended implant depth of any rechargeable SCS device. The thin profile and greater implant depth potentially makes the neurostimulator less noticeable and more comfortable for patients. Its small size also allows for a smaller incision, which gives physicians increased flexibility in selecting the implant location.
“Neurostimulation offers chronic pain patients a therapy that can deliver sustainable relief,” said Chris Chavez, president of the St. Jude Medical Neuromodulation Division. “The Japanese approval of the Eon Mini neurostimulator represents an important step toward broadening the availability of this therapy.”
Even with its small size, the Eon Mini neurostimulator has the longest-lasting battery life of any rechargeable spinal cord stimulation device currently on the market. It is the only small rechargeable neurostimulator to receive a 10-year battery longevity approval. This means the device should provide sustainable therapy and maintain a reasonable recharge interval for at least 10 years of use at high settings. The device’s battery longevity also may mean that patients require fewer battery replacement surgeries.
In addition, the Eon Mini device features the following:
- Advanced programming capability that allows physicians to manage up to eight pain areas simultaneously to address complex pain patterns.
- A 16-contact header that is compatible with all St. Jude Medical neurostimulation leads, giving physicians more control in designing the system for optimal pain relief.
- Enhanced microchip and software (NeuroDynamix) technology that continuously selects the most efficient power management mode, preserving the battery’s capacity to deliver therapy.
- Constant current circuitry that automatically adjusts power output to deliver consistent therapy over time.
- Fully portable charging system that allows patients the freedom to comfortably recharge the battery while taking a walk, cooking a meal or shopping.
