SCS brands

[sweetalkr]

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Today we placed a cervical stim. i used st. jude's. i have used mainly medtronics and boston.
i will say it was easier to change direction of the tip with st. judes, but it was annoying I had to steer it from the stylet tip (the end of the lead) rather than with the lead right at the needle which i did with the other ones.

curious - any thoughts on the different brands? does one steer better than the other? any real differences in the brand? or are all those brands just the same? and it's in my head

 

[Aether2000]

There are differences in the manner in which the leads steer....different techniques. MDT uses roation of the entire lead....this is ok for short segment placement, but long segments is difficult without use of an introde. BS is very easy to steer but can be a bit difficult to pass through denser epidural tissues, but is excellent for stenotic segments given its thin profile. St J is stiffer than BS and is capable of passing through denser epidural tissues. But it is a matter of personal preference....I use all three systems frequently, and select the system to meet the needs of the patient, rather than my needs or desires.

 

[hyperalgesia]

I also use all three companies, mostly because I want to stay familiar with them all. I think the differences are subtle and I've never said, "Crap I should've used BS" or whatever. Never NOT been able to get where I was going with a lead. Mostly people who choose to go with one company or two companies do so because of poor service in their area. One unreliable/obnoxious rep can ruin it for the company for years. But the companies will also desperately try to get "exclusivity" with you with subtle kickback offers, party invitations, family get-togethers, etc. Some go for this and become BFF. I prefer to drink alone.