A novel 14 gauge needle for 2 lead access for percutaneous spinal cord stimulator trials and permanent implants.

Abstract

There are numerous clinical problems with the current 2-needle approach to spinal cord stimulator (SCS) epidural space access for both percutaneous trials and percutaneous permanent lead placement. These problems include the placement of 2 separate 14 Gauge needles to access the epidural space twice-once for each lead, prolonged anesthesia and procedure time, increased dural puncture risk, and increased risk of pain from additional needle sticks or incisions. We have designed a unique and novel 14 Gauge epidural access needle to allow 2 SCS leads, one at a time, to advance through the same epidural access needle. This needle can dramatically reduce the time for placement of 2 SCS trial and permanent leads and may reduce complications simultaneously.