Medtronic’s David Carr, vice president and general manager of Pain Interventions, and Amaza Reitmeier, vice president and general manager of Brain Modulation, discuss the Company’s latest news, research and innovation in an interview with SmartTRAK at the North American Neuromodulation Society (NANS) 2024 Annual Meeting held January 18-21 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
To find out more, including the Company’s priorities and vision for interventional pain, minimally invasive spine and deep brain stimulation, click on the following video to listen to the interview (32:30 min). Topics by timecode are provided below, and you can click the button to download a transcript of the interview.
Interview Topics by Timecode:
00:27 David Carr introduction and background. Overview of Medtronic’s top news at NANS and the importance of the Company’s broad portfolio of pain intervention solutions, including stimulation, targeted drug delivery and interventional spine.
04:28 Overview of Medtronic’s presence at NANS regarding clinical and scientific research vs competitors. Highlights of clinical data from Australian ECAPs study to support the introduction of the Inceptiv Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) system, what’s next for Inceptiv and how Inceptiv differs from other ECAP-based SCS devices. Discussion of other research and evidence to support expanded indications and health economics. Company strategies for leveraging data to drive adoption, reimbursement and growth in non-surgical refractory back pain and diabetic painful neuropathy (DPN),
13:19 Medtronic’s research and focus on MRI compatibility/conditionality as a key competitive advantage and SureScan technology’s key differentiators, including impedence-independent imaging. The Company’s messaging and plans to educate patients on why those differences are important and how this messaging is resonating with physicians.
16:18 The status of Medtronic’s digital initiatives, including CareGuidePro, new features, closed-loop and using data to personalize, manage and guide patient care. Discussion of SCS market, what’s primarily driving growth for Medtronic, taking share in core procedures and the fastest growing indication for the Company. Leadership changes and re-engaging and re-energizing the commercial team.
19:41 Medtronic’s vision for the interventional pain business, including plans for expansion in radiofrequency and minimally invasive spine, and the Company’s view of using adapters for replacing competitive devices.
22:15 Amaza Reitmeier's introduction, her different roles within Medtronic, and her return to the Brain Modulation business.
23:05 Medtronic’s new Percept RC Neurostimulator for DBS with BrainSense technology, the first implants in the US, how it fits in the portfolio and key differentiating features of the device. What Percept RC and the SenSight leads mean for the Company and how a rechargeable DBS with sensing will impact the Company’s DBS growth and share capture in the US and other countries (e.g., Europe and Japan).
24:53 Highlights of Medtronic’s key DBS research at NANS, including a study evaluating the use of the TYRX Envelope to reduce infections and a poster regarding a beta signal identification algorithm and sensing-informed programming. Plans to submit ADAPT-PD study results for FDA consideration to obtain approval for closed-loop DBS.
27:25 The importance of MRI compatibility for DBS, 3T MRI and the ability of Medtronic DBS patients to leave their therapy on during an MRI scan. How a sensing-enabled platform allows insight into the brain, what it means for the future of DBS and creating a cadence of innovation that potentially reduces programming time, automates therapy and allows insights-driven care.
30:17 Overview of the DBS market and what’s driving growth. Impact of rechargeables, longer battery life, expanded indications, focused ultrasound and what will drive market growth the most.