Gillette doctor first in region to successfully complete specific type of spinal cord implant

GILLETTE (WNE) — A local doctor made history by being the first in the region to successfully implant a closed-loop spinal cord stimulator system.
 
Dr. John Mansell of the Wyoming Pain Institute is the first doctor in Wyoming, Colorado, Montana, North Dakota or South Dakota to complete the implant successfully, according to a news release.
 
The technology, developed by Saluda Medical, incorporates a feedback system that adjusts the stimulation based on the spinal cord’s response, ensuring optimal pain relief and avoiding the risk of over- or under-stimulation.
 
Spinal cord stimulation has been used as an effective clinical tool for chronic neuropathic pain from previous spine surgery, chemotherapy-associated nerve damage or diabetic neuropathy.
 
Invented in 1967, this technology has continued to advance over the decades and become more dependable. Recognized by Medicare and other insurance companies as a safer alternative to many sedating medications, stimulation usually starts with a one-week trial to see if it works for the individual patient without side effects.
 
Mansell, with more than 32 years of experience in pain management, is board certified by both the American Board of Anesthesiology and the American Board of Pain Medicine. He is also actively involved in the medical community, serving as the President of the Wyoming Society of Anesthesiologists and as a board member of the American Society of Anesthesiologists.
 
His company, WyoBioTech, LLC, has also made significant strides in the field of medical technology this year, receiving international patents for its conductive carbon pacemaker and stimulator leads systems in the United States, Europe, and Australia. This innovative technology offers improved performance and reduced risk of complications.
 
This story was published on January 9, 2024.