FDA clears St. Jude Medical's Epiducer lead delivery system for neurostimulation

St. Jude Medical, Inc. (NYSE:STJ), a global medical device company, today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance and limited market release of the Epiducer^™ lead delivery system for neurostimulation therapy. This first-of-its-kind system allows physicians to place multiple neurostimulation leads through a single entry point.

Designed to reduce procedural complexities and enhance efficiency, the Epiducer lead delivery system reduces the need for multiple incisions typically required to place more than one neurostimulation lead utilized in spinal cord stimulation (SCS) therapy for the management of chronic pain. The system also allows physicians to introduce St. Jude Medical S-Series^™ paddle leads through a percutaneous entry. Before the Epiducer system, the placement of paddle leads was only possible through a laminotomy, a more invasive surgical procedure that typically requires removal of part of the vertebral bone.

In addition, this minimally invasive system enables physicians to deliver one, two or three different leads through a single entry point to configure and optimize the therapy for each patient. This allows for the management of complex and multifocal pain patterns such as low back pain combined with leg pain.

"The Epiducer lead delivery system represents an important paradigm shift and step forward enabling physicians to configure patient-specific systems utilizing multiple lead arrays to treat complex multifocal pain, and we are excited to bring it to the U.S. market," said Chris Chavez, president of the St. Jude Medical Neuromodulation Division. "This innovative system is already available in Europe, Australia and Canada, and physician feedback has been very positive regarding this new capability to deliver multiple lead configurations less invasively."

Created with a highly radiopaque material to provide easy fluoroscopic visualization, the Epiducer system is the newest addition to the St. Jude Medical product portfolio which includes many industry firsts including:

• World's smallest neurostimulator for chronic pain - the Eon Mini™ spinal cord stimulator
• First-of-its-kind five-column paddle lead - the Penta™ lead
• Unique mechanical locking lead anchor designed to enhance procedural efficiency - the Swift-Lock™ anchor

Neurostimulation (also called spinal cord stimulation) is used for managing chronic pain of the trunk and limbs and pain from back surgeries that have failed. Mild electrical pulses are carried from the neurostimulator to a lead or leads that are placed in the epidural space near the spine to interrupt or mask the transmission of pain signals to the brain. Electrodes on the lead can be programmed to meet each individual patient's needs. More information can be obtained about neurostimulation therapy at www.PowerOverYourPain.com.

Chronic pain affects millions worldwide. According to a new report from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the National Academies, chronic pain affects an estimated 116 million American adults — more than the total affected by heart disease, cancer, and diabetes combined. Pain also costs the nation up to $635 billion each year in medical treatment and lost productivity. Noting that much of this pain is preventable or could be better managed, the IOM report calls for coordinated national efforts of public and private organizations to create a cultural transformation in how the nation understands and approaches pain management and prevention. The study was mandated by Congress and sponsored by the National Institutes of Health. The IOM provides independent, objective, evidence-based advice to policymakers, health professionals, the private sector, and the public. Visit the IOM site for more on their "Relieving Pain in America" report.