Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Percutaneous Octapolar Leads in Pain Treatment with Spinal Cord Stimulation of Patients with Failed Back Surgery Syndrome During a 1-Year Follow-Up: A Prospective Multicenter International Study.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of percutaneous octapolar (8-contact) leads in spinal cord stimulation (SCS) treatment of failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) patients who have not reached their therapy goals with other treatment interventions.

Methods: Our prospective, multicenter, open-label, nonrandomized study included 93 patients ≥ 18 years of age suffering from chronic (≥ 6 months), intractable pain predominantly in the legs. Patients implanted with octapolar lead(s) and a neurostimulator after a successful test trial were followed for 12 months.

Selectivity for specific cardiovascular effects of vagal nerve stimulation with a multi-contact electrode cuff.

The cardiovascular system can be influenced by electrically stimulating the vagal nerve. Selectivity for specific cardiac fibers may be limited when stimulating at the cervical level. Our objective was to increase effectiveness and selectivity for cardiovascular effects of vagal nerve stimulation by using local bipolar stimulation in one nerve cross section using a multi-contact cuff instead of less localized stimulation using a tripolar ring electrode.

An indirect component in the evoked compound action potential of the vagal nerve.

The vagal nerve plays a vital role in the regulation of the cardiovascular system. It not only regulates the heart but also sends sensory information from the heart back to the brain. We hypothesize that the evoked vagal nerve compound action potential contains components that are indirect via the brain stem or coming via the neural network on the heart.

Electrode contact configuration and energy consumption in spinal cord stimulation.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that in spinal cord stimulation, an increase in the number of cathodes increases the energy per pulse, contrary to an increase in the number of anodes, which decreases energy consumption per pulse.

Methods: Patients with an Itrel III (7425; Medtronic, Inc., Minneapolis, MN) implantable pulse generator and a Pisces-Quad (3487A; Medtronic, Inc.

Effect and safety of spinal cord stimulation for treatment of chronic pain caused by diabetic neuropathy.

Aim: Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has been shown effective as a therapy for different chronic painful conditions, but the effectiveness of this treatment for pain as a result of peripheral diabetic neuropathy is not well established. The primary objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect and safety of SCS for treatment of pain and the effects on microcirculatory blood flow in the affected areas in patients with refractory peripheral diabetic neuropathy.

Method: The study was designed as a prospective, open-label study.

A randomized controlled trial of an implantable 2-channel peroneal nerve stimulator on walking speed and activity in poststroke hemiplegia.

Objective: To determine the effect of a new implantable 2-channel peroneal nerve stimulator on walking speed and daily activities, in comparison with the usual treatment in chronic stroke survivors with a drop foot.

Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Setting: All subjects were measured 5 times in the gait laboratory.

Heart rate control via vagus nerve stimulation.

Objectives.  There is ample and well-established evidence that direct electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve can change heart rate in animals and humans. Since tachyarrhythmias cannot always be controlled through medication, we sought, in this pilot study, to elucidate whether a clinical implantable lead system that is used in cervical vagus nerve stimulation therapy (VNS therapy) also can be used for control of heart rate, and tachycardia in particular.

Two cases of autosomal recessive generalized dystonia in childhood: 5 year follow-up and bilateral globus pallidus stimulation results.

We report two brothers with an unknown form of early-onset familiar dystonia. Characteristic clinical features are (1) childhood-onset; (2) extrapyramidal motor symptoms; (3) dysarthria; and (4) mental retardation. Additional findings include loss of D(2)-receptors in both basal ganglia and hypoplasia of the cerebellar vermis with dilatation of the fourth ventricle and cisterna magna.

The sensitivity and selectivity of an implantable two-channel peroneal nerve stimulator system for restoration of dropped foot.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the stimulation responses on each channel of an implantable two-channel stimulator that stimulates the peroneal nerve branches innervating the muscles for dorsiflexion and eversion movements. Currently five Dutch patients and five English patients have been implanted with this system. Isometric ankle torque measurements were carried out in the patient with the longest follow-up period (1 y).

Laryngeal and vocal changes during vagus nerve stimulation in epileptic patients.

Left vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) by means of an implanted electrode has proven to reduce seizure frequency in epileptic patients with medically refractory seizures. This technique is now widely applied over the world. Voice changes appear to be one of the major side effects.