- Abbott's Eterna™ SCS system to treat chronic pain was used for
the first time in Canada at
Hôpital de l'Enfant-Jésus hospital in Quebec City.
- The device is the smallest implantable rechargeable spinal cord
stimulator (SCS)*3 and provides the ability to deliver
therapy while only requiring wireless recharging five times per
year,1,2 meaning less frequent charging for the chronic
pain patients being treated.§4
MONTRÉAL, March 19,
2024 /CNW/ -- Abbott (NYSE: ABT) today announced that
the company's Eterna™ SCS system – the smallest implantable,
rechargeable spinal cord stimulator (SCS) for the treatment of
chronic pain,*3,4 has been used for the first time in
Canada. The inaugural use case of
the Eterna SCS system took place at Hôpital de l'Enfant-Jésus
hospital in Quebec City, marking a
significant milestone in the Canadian adoption of this technology
by making it widely accessible for people suffering from chronic
pain.
The Eterna SCS system uses Abbott's proprietary
BurstDR(TM) stimulation, the only SCS technology with
the highest level of clinical evidence (level 1A.) Abbott's
proprietary BurstDR™ therapy is proven to reduce pain by 23 per
cent more than traditional tonic stimulation without the tingling
sensation.5,6
In Canada, one in five people
aged 15 years and older live with chronic pain.6 Beyond
the emotional and physical toll, chronic pain has profound economic
implications with an estimated annual cost of $40 billion to the healthcare system and lost
productivity.7 Additionally, unmanaged pain can lead to
other health and societal issues, including mental health
challenges and substance abuse.8 To tackle the negative
impact of chronic pain, the Canadian Pain Task Force report calls
for greater access to safe and effective treatment options, and
more specialized pain services.8
"I witness the physical and mental toll of chronic pain on my
patients, their relentless pursuit for relief, and the urgent need
for new options," shares Dr. Michel
Prud'homme, neurosurgeon from Hôpital de l'Enfant-Jésus
hospital. "As the benefits of spinal cord stimulation technology
become more widely understood and available, Abbott's Eterna SCS
System advances our options and ability to treat and relieve pain
with this drug-free technology, giving patients a new lease on life
and a greater sense of control."
According to the Canadian Medical Association Journal, there is
low awareness of SCS as an option for pain management.9
In addition, many candidates are only considered for SCS after
standard pain treatment options have failed.10 The
Canadian Medical Association Journal has also stated that the
"increased awareness of and access to spinal cord stimulation
therapy may allow more Canadians to benefit from relief of
intractable chronic pain and may reduce opioid
consumption."9
Approved by Health Canada in 2023, Abbott developed the Eterna
SCS System based on extensive studies with patients, physicians,
and caregivers to understand the unmet needs of people living with
chronic pain. The studies found that people wanted small,
comfortable implants which don't need to be charged daily. Abbott
designed the Eterna SCS System to be recharged wirelessly at a
frequency of five times per year under normal use,1,2
making it the lowest recharge burden platform on the
market.§4
The Eterna SCS System is currently the smallest device
available,*3 designed for implant site
comfort,11 and features Abbott's BurstDR stimulation,
which mimics natural firing patterns found in the brain6
to deliver superior**12 pain relief over traditional
tonic stimulation.
SCS, also known as neurostimulation, has been recommended by
doctors for more than 50 years13 to help people manage
chronic pain and improve quality of life. Devices used for SCS
consist of thin wires placed between the spinal cord and the
vertebrae, and a small implant placed in the lower back that helps
disrupt pain signals before they can reach the
brain.2
"The Eterna SCS System reflects our commitment to pioneering
innovative technology in chronic pain management," said Pedro
Malha, vice president, Neuromodulation, Abbott. "The system is the
smallest rechargeable spinal cord stimulator available today and
provides the longest time between wireless charges at nominal
settings–providing therapy in a way that helps people living with
this condition feel better and live life on their own
terms."*§3,4
* Smallest size determined by volume in cubic
centimeters.
** BurstDR™ stimulation superiority when compared to traditional
tonic stimulation as studied in SUNBURST.
^ Pain and suffering as measured by visual analog scale.
§ Upon implant of the Eterna™ SCS System,
approximately three hours five times per year (69 to 74 days
between charges) or one hour per month (25 to 27 days between
charges) at standard (nominal) settings for BurstDR™ programming:
30/90 dosing when programmed with amplitude of 0.6mA and all other
BurstDR™ stimulation settings are left at default. Recommended
recharge frequency and duration for competitor product described in
their respective IFU or clinical studies, which may involve
different patient populations and other variables. Not a
head-to-head comparison of stimulation settings or clinical
outcomes.
For Canadian safety information on the Abbott Eterna™ SCS
System, visit: eLabeling | Abbott (eifu.abbott).
About Abbott
Abbott is a global healthcare leader that
helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio
of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare,
with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical
devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 114,000
colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.
Connect with us at www.abbott.com and
on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.
References
1 Abbott. Eterna IPG Battery Recharge
Characterization Report (90903492); 2023.
2 Abbott. Eterna IPG Elect Design Verification
Report: Current Draw (90860050). 2022.
3 Abbott. OUS Eterna SCS IPG Size Comparison Memo
(MAT-2310297); 2023.
4 Abbott. OUS Eterna Lowest Recharge Burden Comparison
Memo (MAT-2310293); 2023.
5 Karri J, Orhurhu V, Wahezi S, Tang T, Deer T,
Abd-Elsayed A. Comparison of spinal
cord stimulation waveforms for treating chronic low back pain:
Systematic review and meta-analysis. 2022;25(2): 221. Pain
Physician. 2020;23(5):451-460. doi:10.36076/ppj.2020/23/451
6 De Ridder D, Lenders MW, De Vos CC, et al. A
2-center comparative study on tonic versus burst spinal cord
stimulation: amount of responders and amount of pain suppression.
Clin J Pain. 2015;31(5):433-437.
doi:10.1097/AJP.0000000000000129
7 Government of Canada.
Canadian Pain Task Force Report: March
2021. Updated May 12, 2021.
Accessed March 8, 2024.
https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/corporate/about-health-canada/public-engagement/external-advisory-bodies/canadian-pain-task-force/report-2021.html
8 Health Canada. An Action Plan for Pain in
Canada. Published May 2021. Accessed March
8, 2024.
https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/hc-sc/documents/corporate/about-health-canada/public-engagement/external-advisory-bodies/canadian-pain-task-force/report-2021-rapport/report-rapport-2021-eng.pdf
9 Hong A, Varshney V, Hare GMT, Mazer CD. Spinal
cord stimulation: a nonopioid alternative for chronic pain
management. CMAJ. 2020;192(42):E1264-E1267.
doi:10.1503/cmaj.200229
10 Ontario Health Technology Assessment Series.
Spinal Cord Stimulation for Neuropathic Pain. An Evidence Based
Analysis. March 2005.
https://www.hqontario.ca/evidence/reports/rev_scs_030105.pdf
11 Baranidharan G, Bretherton B, Richert G, et al.
Pocket pain, does location matter: a single-centre retrospective
study of patients implanted with a spinal cord stimulator. Reg
Anesth Pain Med. 2020.; 0:1-7. doi:10.1136/rapm-2020-101752
12 Deer T, Slavin KV, Amirdelfan K, et al. Success
using neuromodulation with BURST (SUNBURST) study: results from a
prospective, randomized controlled trial using a novel burst
waveform. Neuromodulation. 2018;21(1):56-66.
doi:10.1111/ner.12698
13 Gildenberg PL. History of electrical neuromodulation
for chronic pain. Pain Medicine. 2006;7(suppl 1):S7-S13.
doi:10.1111/j.1526-4637.2006.00118. History of Electrical
Neuromodulation for Chronic Pain | Pain Medicine | Oxford Academic
(oup.com)
SOURCE Abbott