Neurotherm is a good machine but the three simultaneous burns saves only a few minutes per case, and the electrodes required are fairly expensive. So the three burn business is fluff. Otherwise the machine is a good solid machine, easy to use. The older neurotherm machines are quite adequate also and you may be able to get these at a discount.
Neurotherm does not teach CRNAs how to do RF in their courses so you would be supporting an organization that is committed to appropriate quality education of physicians.
The support system and sales staffing for Tyco/Valleylab/Radionics is pretty thin, and they haven't upgraded their very heavy dinosaur machine in a decade.
The most compact machine is the Owl and it is also very low priced. It is from Canada. Cosman is the new/old kid on the block ....the son has resurrected the original company that made RF machines for pain medicine. Their machine plus electrodes are the least expensive on the market at a list price of $19K including electrodes. It is a simple machine to use.
Baylis has some of the most innovative technologies including a new SI RF probe and their biaculoplasty that are part of the upgraded base version of their upgradable machine. They are a company that can move very fast into product development and their machine is relatively easy to use. They have a bit of overkill with their graphic display of second by second temperature, but it does give one something to do during the RF.
Stryker is a giant company that is trying to make a hit with pain medicine, has a good machine also, but I found it a bit cumbersome to use although the nursing staff loved it since everything is color coded.
SN makes a machine also but continues to hawk IDET with the machine even though few of us ever perform IDET any longer.
All the machines will do the job adequately, and have adequate power. Some are 25 watt and some are 50 watt machines, but the oldest neurotherm is only 8 watts...that one is adequate for MB RF but may not be adequate for RF near large heat sinks.... Remember, most MB RF requires 2-5 watts only.
You can get discounted rates if the company will sell an older model but all rates are negotiable. It is likely our reimbursement will be cut substantially next year for these procedures so I would not lock into a high priced machine unless you do a lot of RF, which you shouldn't be doing statistically. If you follow ISIS guidelines, approximately 2-4% of your low back pain patients will be eligible for RF due to selection of patients with pure Z-joint disease.
