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Experience with implanted electrodes at Rancho Los Amigos Hospital
Applied Neurophysiology
|January 1, 1977
Summary
Medtronic implanted drop-foot devices in 31 patients. While 5 required removal due to inflammatory reactions, the equipment showed no failures up to 7.3 years, with promising results for new intraneural electrodes.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Neurology
- Medical Devices
Background:
- Drop-foot, a condition affecting gait, can be treated with implanted neurostimulation devices.
- Medtronic, Inc. has developed implanted units for drop-foot treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety and efficacy of Medtronic implanted units for drop-foot treatment.
- To assess the long-term performance and potential complications of these devices.
- To explore the promise of intraneural electrodes for future neurostimulation.
Main Methods:
- Implantation of Medtronic units in 31 patients for drop-foot treatment.
- Monitoring for inflammatory reactions and equipment failures.
- Implantation of fine wire electrodes intraneurally in animals and 3 patients.
Main Results:
- Inflammatory reaction occurred in 7 patients, necessitating removal in 5.
- No equipment failures were observed for up to 7.3 years.
- No documented nerve damage from chronic stimulation was reported.
- Preliminary results with intraneural electrodes are encouraging.
Conclusions:
- Medtronic implanted units show long-term functionality for drop-foot but carry a risk of inflammatory complications.
- Intraneural electrodes represent a promising advancement for future neurostimulation device design.