Twin Cities Pain Clinic Implants Newest Pain Pump from Medtronic
On Wednesday, February 14, 2024 Dr. Andrew Will and Dr. Anne Kokayeff of Twin Cities Pain Clinic each implanted the new SynchroMed™ III intrathecal pump from Medtronic. This achievement marks the first SynchroMed™ III pumps to be implanted by the Twin Cities Pain Clinic surgical team, and a total of three patients received the devices.
The SynchroMed™ III
The SynchroMed™ III is the latest model in Medtronic’s SynchroMed™ line of intrathecal drug delivery systems. According to Medtronic, “SynchroMed III is an upgraded system compared to the SynchroMed™ II system, featuring a new “refill only” physician workflow for more efficient programming, improved electronics with firmware capable of being updated after implant, and additional protections for patient data through enhanced cybersecurity. The system also carries forward several mid-generation durable design enhancements from the SynchroMed II pump which have contributed to the long-term safety and reliability of the device.” Source
Intrathecal Pain Pumps
Intrathecal drug delivery is a highly advanced form of pain management therapy that offers the pain relief benefits of opioid pain medication while avoiding the risks and potential negative side effects. An intrathecal pump is a device that is implanted inside the body and consists of two parts – the pump and the catheter. The pump is programmed to administer a prescribed dose of concentrated pain medicine at specific time intervals.
The medication travels through the catheter and is delivered into the intrathecal space, the area between thin layers of tissue covering your brain and spinal cord. The intrathecal space contains cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which surrounds the brain and spinal cord to help cushion them from injury and provide nutrients. The medication bathes affected nerves inside the intrathecal space, providing consistent, effective pain relief.
Leading the Way at Twin Cities Pain Clinic
Congratulations to Drs. Will and Kokayeff, their entire surgical teams, and our friends at Medtronic, for this momentous achievement.
Twin Cities Pain Clinic is proud to remain ever on the forefront of pain medicine innovations in order to provide our patients with the best possible therapies and treatment outcomes.
