January 6th, 2005

Migraine Headache Device Receives FDA Approval

A new device called an Intraoral Vasoconstriction or IVC device, has been approved by the FDA for treatment of migraine headaches, considered the most difficult type of headache to treat. Based on a new migraine theory, the device is used to chill the swollen area around the maxillary nerve, which in turn reduces the swelling and pressure against the nerve. This in turn, in most cases, eliminates the migraine. The device is also said to be helpful in migraine headache prevention. When the device is used to chill the swollen area before the onset of a headache, the pressure will never build up, potentially allowing migraine sufferers to live a headache free life. 

The non-invasive, non-narcotic technique was put through trials in a major medical center emergency department study and controlled acute migraine study at the New York Medical College Department of Medicine. The results indicated relief in less than an hour for 80 percent of the patients and that the treatment was more effective than lmitrex, a widely used drug for the treatment of migraines. The results have been published by Dr. Mark Friedman in Headache, the American Headache Society Journal. The technique according to the report was approved by the FDA for treatment in June of 2004.