• Abbott’s Eterna™ SCS system to treat chronic pain was used for the first time in Canada at Hôpital de l'Enfant-Jésus hospital in Quebec City.
• The device is the smallest implantable rechargeable spinal cord stimulator (SCS)^*3 and provides the ability to deliver therapy while only requiring wireless recharging five times per year,^1,2 meaning less frequent charging for the chronic pain patients being treated^.§4
  

MONTRÉAL, QC March 19, 2024 —Abbott today announced that the company’s Eterna™ SCS system – the smallest implantable, rechargeable spinal cord stimulator (SCS) for the treatment of chronic pain,*^3,4 has been used for the first time in Canada. The inaugural use case of the Eterna SCS system took place at Hôpital de l'Enfant-Jésus hospital in Quebec City, marking a significant milestone in the Canadian adoption of this technology by making it widely accessible for people suffering from chronic pain.

The Eterna SCS system uses Abbott’s proprietary BurstDR^(TM) stimulation, the only SCS technology with the highest level of clinical evidence (level 1A.) Abbott’s proprietary BurstDR™ therapy is proven to reduce pain by 23 per cent more than traditional tonic stimulation without the tingling sensation.^5,6

In Canada, one in five people aged 15 years and older live with chronic pain.⁶ Beyond the emotional and physical toll, chronic pain has profound economic implications with an estimated annual cost of $40 billion to the healthcare system and lost productivity.⁷ Additionally, unmanaged pain can lead to other health and societal issues, including mental health challenges and substance abuse.⁸ To tackle the negative impact of chronic pain, the Canadian Pain Task Force report calls for greater access to safe and effective treatment options, and more specialized pain services.⁸

"I witness the physical and mental toll of chronic pain on my patients, their relentless pursuit for relief, and the urgent need for new options,” shares Dr. Michel Prud’homme, neurosurgeon from Hôpital de l'Enfant-Jésus hospital. "As the benefits of spinal cord stimulation technology become more widely understood and available, Abbott’s Eterna SCS System advances our options and ability to treat and relieve pain with this drug-free technology, giving patients a new lease on life and a greater sense of control.”

According to the Canadian Medical Association Journal, there is low awareness of SCS as an option for pain management.⁹ In addition, many candidates are only considered for SCS after standard pain treatment options have failed.¹⁰ The Canadian Medical Association Journal has also stated that the “increased awareness of and access to spinal cord stimulation therapy may allow more Canadians to benefit from relief of intractable chronic pain and may reduce opioid consumption.”⁹

Approved by Health Canada in 2023, Abbott developed the Eterna SCS System based on extensive studies with patients, physicians, and caregivers to understand the unmet needs of people living with chronic pain. The studies found that people wanted small, comfortable implants which don’t need to be charged daily. Abbott designed the Eterna SCS System to be recharged wirelessly at a frequency of five times per year under normal use,^1,2 making it the lowest recharge burden platform on the market.^§4

The Eterna SCS System is currently the smallest device available,^*3 designed for implant site comfort,¹¹ and features Abbott’s BurstDR stimulation, which mimics natural firing patterns found in the brain⁶ to deliver superior^**12 pain relief over traditional tonic stimulation.

SCS, also known as neurostimulation, has been recommended by doctors for more than 50 years¹³ to help people manage chronic pain and improve quality of life. Devices used for SCS consist of thin wires placed between the spinal cord and the vertebrae, and a small implant placed in the lower back that helps disrupt pain signals before they can reach the brain.²

"The Eterna SCS System reflects our commitment to pioneering innovative technology in chronic pain management," said Pedro Malha, vice president, Neuromodulation, Abbott. "The system is the smallest rechargeable spinal cord stimulator available today and provides the longest time between wireless charges at nominal settings–providing therapy in a way that helps people living with this condition feel better and live life on their own terms."*^§3,4  

* Smallest size determined by volume in cubic centimeters.

** BurstDR™ stimulation superiority when compared to traditional tonic stimulation as studied in SUNBURST.

^ Pain and suffering as measured by visual analog scale.

^§ Upon implant of the Eterna™ SCS System, approximately three hours five times per year (69 to 74 days between charges) or one hour per month (25 to 27 days between charges) at standard (nominal) settings for BurstDR™ programming: 30/90 dosing when programmed with amplitude of 0.6mA and all other BurstDR™ stimulation settings are left at default. Recommended recharge frequency and duration for competitor product described in their respective IFU or clinical studies, which may involve different patient populations and other variables. Not a head-to-head comparison of stimulation settings or clinical outcomes. 

For Canadian safety information on the Abbott Eterna™ SCS System, visit: eLabeling | Abbott (eifu.abbott).  

About Abbott:
Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 114,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

Connect with us at www.abbott.com and on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.

Abbott Media: Stacey Brown 416-618-7490

stacey.brown2@abbott.com

References

¹ Abbott. Eterna IPG Battery Recharge Characterization Report (90903492); 2023.

² Abbott. Eterna IPG Elect Design Verification Report: Current Draw (90860050). 2022.

³ Abbott. OUS Eterna SCS IPG Size Comparison Memo (MAT-2310297); 2023.

⁴ Abbott. OUS Eterna Lowest Recharge Burden Comparison Memo (MAT-2310293); 2023.

⁵ Karri J, Orhurhu V, Wahezi S, Tang T, Deer T, Abd-Elsayed A. Comparison of spinal cord stimulation waveforms for treating chronic low back pain: Systematic review and meta-analysis. 2022;25(2): 221. Pain Physician. 2020;23(5):451-460. doi:10.36076/ppj.2020/23/451

⁶ De Ridder D, Lenders MW, De Vos CC, et al. A 2-center comparative study on tonic versus burst spinal cord stimulation: amount of responders and amount of pain suppression. Clin J Pain. 2015;31(5):433-437. doi:10.1097/AJP.0000000000000129

⁷ Government of Canada. Canadian Pain Task Force Report: March 2021. Updated May 12, 2021. Accessed March 8, 2024. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/corporate/about-health-canada/public-engagement/external-advisory-bodies/canadian-pain-task-force/report-2021.html

⁸ Health Canada. An Action Plan for Pain in Canada. Published May 2021. Accessed March 8, 2024.  https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/hc-sc/documents/corporate/about-health-canada/public-engagement/external-advisory-bodies/canadian-pain-task-force/report-2021-rapport/report-rapport-2021-eng.pdf

⁹  Hong A, Varshney V, Hare GMT, Mazer CD. Spinal cord stimulation: a nonopioid alternative for chronic pain management. CMAJ. 2020;192(42):E1264-E1267. doi:10.1503/cmaj.200229

¹⁰ Ontario Health Technology Assessment Series. Spinal Cord Stimulation for Neuropathic Pain. An Evidence ­Based Analysis. March 2005. https://www.hqontario.ca/evidence/reports/rev_scs_030105.pdf

¹¹ Baranidharan G, Bretherton B, Richert G, et al. Pocket pain, does location matter: a single-centre retrospective study of patients implanted with a spinal cord stimulator. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2020.; 0:1-7. doi:10.1136/rapm-2020-101752

¹²  Deer T, Slavin KV, Amirdelfan K, et al. Success using neuromodulation with BURST (SUNBURST) study: results from a prospective, randomized controlled trial using a novel burst waveform. Neuromodulation. 2018;21(1):56-66. doi:10.1111/ner.12698

¹³ Gildenberg PL. History of electrical neuromodulation for chronic pain. Pain Medicine. 2006;7(suppl 1):S7-S13. doi:10.1111/j.1526-4637.2006.00118. History of Electrical Neuromodulation for Chronic Pain | Pain Medicine | Oxford Academic (oup.com)