An intrathecal pump is a medical device used to deliver (via an intrathecal catheter) medications directly into the space between the spinal cord and the protective sheath surrounding the spinal cord.
Medications such as baclofen, bupivacaine, clonidine, morphine, hydromorphone, fentanyl or ziconotide may be delivered in this manner to minimize the side effects often associated with the higher doses used in oral or intravenous delivery of these drugs.
The implantable medical device requires a surgical procedure; sometimes a surgeon performs a trial intrathecal injection or implants a temporary intrathecal catheter and pump to determine if the medication works to begin with, and thus if a pump is appropriate.
A permanent intrathecal pump is then implanted if the patient derives at least 50% improvement in his or her symptoms.
How frequently this occurs is dependent on several factors, including drug concentration and dosage, and pump size.