More MS news articles for June 2004

Medtronic Wins FDA OK on Implantable Pump for Pain

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/481483?src=search

June 1, 2004
Reuters

Medtronic Inc. on Tuesday said U.S. regulators approved a smaller version of its implantable pump to treat chronic pain and control severe muscle constriction associated with cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury.

The programmable device, called SynchroMed II, is implanted just below the skin of the lower abdomen and delivers specially formulated drugs directly to the fluid-filled area surrounding the spinal cord.

This site-specific delivery minimizes dose requirements and side effects compared with oral administration of the same drugs.

The pump is refilled by a clinician using a needle and syringe to inject the drug through the skin into the drug reservoir.