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This past spring, Medtronic Inc. (Minneapolis) announced plans to significantly boost its investment in clinical trials for the company's neurological therapies. Throughout Medtronic's fiscal 2007, which began in May, the company plans to invest in at least six new major clinical trials. The trials are being designed to establish Class I evidence for treatments using the company's neuromodulation or radio-frequency (RF) technologies.
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InterStim therapy has been referred to by physicians as 'a pacemaker for the bladder'. (click to enlarge) |
Each new trial will be designed to establish higher levels of evidence for the therapies' efficacy and cost-effectiveness. "Recently device companies, including Medtronic, have started placing an emphasis on gathering data related to cost during clinical trials," says Richard E. Kuntz, MD, president of Medtronic's neurological division. "That new emphasis is being driven by societal demands. Medtronic wants to continue to demonstrate that its devices are worthy of their price."
According to Medtronic, some of its trials will help the company establish new uses for its devices, and will require regulatory approval. In other cases, Medtronic looks to enhance the understanding of certain therapies through stronger evidence. The trials will focus on current and promising indications for the division's core technologies, including the following.
