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A novel 14 gauge needle for 2 lead access for percutaneous spinal cord stimulator trials and permanent implants
Trent Emerick1, Gordon Amelia2, Barber Brandon2
1Departments of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Bioengineering, and Clinical and Translational Science, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Health System Pain Medicine Program, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.
Abstract:
There are numerous clinical problems with the current 2-needle approach to spinal cord stimulator (SCS) epidural space access for both percutaneous trials and percutaneous permanent lead placement. These problems include the placement of 2 separate 14 Gauge needles to access the epidural space twice-once for each lead, prolonged anesthesia and procedure time, increased dural puncture risk, and increased risk of pain from additional needle sticks or incisions. We have designed a unique and novel 14 Gauge epidural access needle to allow 2 SCS leads, one at a time, to advance through the same epidural access needle. This needle can dramatically reduce the time for placement of 2 SCS trial and permanent leads and may reduce complications simultaneously.
