• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.415-430
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• 2008

The technologies in medical electronic implant(MEI) devices are developing rapidly, and already, there are various kinds of the MEI devices in the current medical equipments market. Recently, the global market scale of MEI devices have been increased about 13% year by year, and the import amount of MEI devices in Korea is increasing rapidly. In the near future, the demands of MEI devices will be magnificently increasing by the continuous development of the biomedical electronics devices which coupled with neural, brain and other organs will bring us to tremendous effects, such as providing new therapeutic solutions to patients, extension and saving human life, and an important clue of medical development. However, the investment of the research and the activity of developments in this field are still very weak in the Korea. Consequently, this paper introduces about the research trends of MEI devices, and technological problems those must be solved, and then concludes with the suggestions in order to be the leading country in this field.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.23-28
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• 2016

Background: Sacral nerve stimulation is a therapeutic option with demonstrated efficacy for conditions presenting with perineal pain caused by different etiologies. We aimed to assess whether a sacral electrode ($Interstim^{(R)}$, Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA) inserted through the caudal pathway is able to offer an acceptable level of sacral stimulation and rate of catheter migration. Methods: We present 12 patients with pelvic pain who received sacral neuromodulation via the sacral hiatus with the InterStim electrode. We evaluated patient satisfaction as well as migration and removal of the electrode, if necessary. Results: Our experience included 12 patients, 10 women and two men, with a mean age of 60 years. In eight of the 12 patients, the initial therapy was effective, and the final system implantation was performed. During subsequent follow-up, patient satisfaction was good. To date, there have been no cases of electrode displacement or migration. Conclusions: The caudal insertion of the InterStim electrode, with its own fixation system, and initially designed for transsacral insertion, appears in our experience to be a satisfactory option which can minimize electrode displacements, achieving similar results in therapeutic efficacy and causing no difficulties in removal.