Medtronic plc announced it has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of its Intellis™ rechargeable neurostimulator and Vanta™ recharge-free neurostimulator for the treatment of chronic pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). DPN is a debilitating and progressive neurological disorder that affects approximately 30% of people with diabetes, significantly impacting both quality of life and functional ability, including mood, social relationships, and sleep.1 DPN occurs when high blood sugar (glucose) damages nerves in the body, most often in the legs and feet, leading to numbness and burning or stabbing pain. In some patients, the pain can become progressively worse and excruciating.

Patients may be treated with medications, but they are often only partially effective and can result in serious side effects. This new indication offers patients with DPN access to Medtronic's spinal cord stimulation (SCS) portfolio of rechargeable and recharge-free platforms, which include multiple programming options to personalize patient therapy, unrestricted MRI access2, unrivaled battery chemistry and performance, and the Medtronic TYRX™ Neuro Absorbable Antibacterial Envelope. The surgical management of diabetic patients can be a challenge for health care providers as they often have additional risk factors and are at greater risk for infection.3 The TYRX™ antibacterial surgical mesh envelope has been shown to stabilize device placement and help reduce infection by over 60%.4-10 Clinicians may also advise patients to take advantage of CareGuidePro™, which serves as a virtual guide for patients throughout their SCS journey.