Steven Falowski, MD, is the first surgeon in the world to implant the Medtronic's Specify SureScan MRI-compatible surgical leads for the Restore neurostimulator system, according to a News-Medical report.
Here are six things to know:
1. Dr. Falowski is chief of functional neurosurgery at St. Luke's University Health Network in Bethlehem, Pa.
2. The procedure, performed at St. Luke's Quakertown (Pa.) Hospital, involved implanting the surgical leads in Joseph Getz, age 62 years. The Specify SureScan MRI surgical leads allow physicians to offer full-body MRIs for any patient with a Medtronic neurostimulator.
3. Mr. Getz suffers from scoliosis, arthritis and spinal stenosis, and he was seeking relief from his chronic back and leg pain.
4. Medtronic chose Dr. Falowski to be the first to implant the new device.
5. Dr. Falowski has a special interest in neuromodulation and is a board member of the North American Neuromodulation Society.
6. The surgical leads were approved by the FDA earlier this month.