Medtronic's Intellis rechargeable neurostimulator and Vanta recharge-free neurostimulator were approved by the FDA for treating chronic pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
Independent studies have shown spinal cord stimulation led to an average 53 percent decrease in pain reduction compared with conventional treatments, according to a Jan. 24 news release.
"This new indication enables us to apply Medtronic's more than 40 years of proven SCS experience, as well as the company's deep diabetes expertise, to deliver better care to even greater numbers of diabetes patients," Charlie Covert, vice president and general manager of Medtronic's pain therapies within neuromodulation business, said in the release.
Vanta, Medtronic's spinal cord stimulator, has a battery life of 11 years and was cleared by the FDA in June. Intellis is a rechargeable device that aids in pain management for conditions including degenerative disc disease, failed back syndrome and epidural fibrosis.