Approval granted for Dorsal Root Ganglion Invisible Trial system

Abbott Laboratories has gained FDA approval and CE mark for its Dorsal Root Ganglion Invisible Trial System, a chronic pain treatment device that patients can trial. If the patient gets sufficient pain relief, they can then receive the implanted version of the technology, the Proclaim DRG system, which contains an implantable neuromodulator to stimulate the dorsal root ganglion, an Apple iPad for programming the device, and an iPod touch to control it.
Abbott’s medical director of neuromodulation, Allen Burton, M.D., said: “Abbott’s DRG Invisible Trial System is very much focused on the person who is seeking pain relief. This evaluation period can give insight into whether the technology will provide meaningful relief to people who have oftentimes tried many failed therapies previously. This unique ability to test drive the procedure before committing to fully implanted therapy is an important part of our patient-centric DRG therapy. While prescription opioid medication can play an important role in helping manage acute or cancer pain, these drugs were never intended to routinely treat chronic pain. Even today, there is a lack of evidence for such extended use. Neurostimulation therapy is a drug-free technology to manage chronic pain. There is great potential to improve outcomes by implanting a neurostimulator earlier, before chronic opioid use.”