Neuromodulation

Business Definition

Boston Scientific's Neuromodulation business is a leading developer of microelectronic technologies that modulate nerve activity to treat disabling disorders, including chronic pain.

Background

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has been in use for more than 30 years and has helped thousands of people find relief from chronic pain. Doctors usually use SCS therapy when conventional pain treatments, such as physical therapy and drugs, do not provide adequate relief. With SCS therapy, minute electrical impulses mask pain signals as they travel along the spinal cord to the brain. Instead of perceiving pain, the brain perceives what many people describe as a smooth tingling sensation called paresthesia. There are external and implanted SCS system parts. The small Implantable Pulse Generator (IPG) and leads are surgically implanted. The external parts include the remote control, cordless charger, and charging station.

Our Neuromodulation business, located in Valencia, California, is a global leader in implantable neuromodulation devices.

Fast Facts

• Precision is the first, smallest and lightest rechargeable spinal cord stimulation system.
• Precision’s electrical current sculpting technology is intended to enable doctors to precisely isolate and target specific pain areas. It is also designed to enable four pain areas to be simultaneously stimulated.
• The bion® microstimulator is the world’s smallest implantable neuromodulator at approximately 28 mm in length and 3 mm in diameter. It is CE marked in Europe for urinary urge incontinence. In the United States, bion is limited to investigational use.

Looking to the Future

Boston Scientific is seeking to advance the practice of neuromodulation. Today, the Company is investigating a number of innovative bionic technologies to treat other neural disorders, including migraine headaches, depression, Parkinson's tremors, urinary incontinence, and erectile dysfunction.

Boston Scientific

Boston Scientific (NYSE: BSX) is a worldwide developer, manufacturer and marketer of medical devices with approximately 25,000 employees and revenue of $8.3 billion in 2007. For more than 25 years, Boston Scientific has advanced the practice of less-invasive medicine by providing a broad and deep portfolio of innovative products, technologies and services across a wide range of medical specialties. The Company’s products help physicians and other medical professionals improve their patients' quality of life by providing alternatives to surgery that minimize risk, cost, trauma, aftercare and procedure time. For more information, please visit www.bostonscientific.com.