Medtronic Rolls Out Discyphor Direct Catheter System

Medtronic is launching its Discyphor Direct catheter system in the U.S. The system provides physicians with additional information to diagnose discogenic lower back pain by anchoring a balloon catheter into discs suspected of causing pain. This procedure allows injection of anesthetic while the patient is performing typical pain-eliciting activities. The system is an alternative to imaging studies or provocative discography, which generates pain in an attempt to locate the suspected disc, Medtronic said.