Boston Scientific, a medical device manufacturer based in Natick, Massachusetts, received regulatory approval from the European Union for its Precision Spectra device. The Precision Spectra is a spinal cord stimulation system designed for patients with severe or chronic pain. According to a press release by the company, the first successful implant of the technology was performed in the United Kingdom in November of this year.

The human nervous system sends electrical impulses through the spinal cord to signal pain. The Precision Spectra spinal cord stimulation system masks pain signals by delivering specialized electric impulses to different nerves in the body. According to the company, the Precision Spectra has more lead ports and contacts than other devices currently on the market.

Most spinal cord stimulation systems currently available for pain patients feature two lead ports and 16 contacts. Boston Scientific’s newest device features four lead ports and 32 contacts.

Dr. Simon Thomson performed the first implant of the Precision Spectra device in the United Kingdom. In prepared remarks, he said, "Over the past 30 years, SCS systems have evolved from four to eight to 16 contacts. At each step, we have seen an improvement in our ability to cover pain.” He continued, "Now, by doubling the number of contacts to 32 while providing a dedicated power source for each contact, the Precision Spectra System advances our ability to provide pain relief."

References

http://bostonscientific.mediaroom.com/2012-12-07-Boston-Scientific-Recei...