# Implanted intrathecal drug delivery pumps for cancer pain (SynchroMed, Prometra)

Source: https://onco.cc/technologies/intrathecal-drug-delivery-pumps/  
OnCo record `intrathecal-drug-delivery-pumps` (Technology). Data CC BY-NC 4.0, attribute "Data from OnCo (onco.cc)"; commercial use needs a licence.

## TL;DR

A pump placed under the skin of the abdomen that delivers tiny doses of pain medicine directly into the fluid around the spinal cord, for cancer pain that tablets and patches do not control.

## Summary

Two implanted programmable pumps hold FDA premarket approval under product code LKK: Medtronic's SynchroMed (PMA P860004, with records in the FDA database from 24 May 1988 and more than 400 supplements, the latest in October 2026 naming the SynchroMed infusion system and Ascenda intrathecal catheters) and the Prometra programmable infusion pump system (P080012, approved 7 February 2012, now held by Infusyn Therapeutics). The glossary's intrathecal therapy entry covers intrathecal chemotherapy, which is a different use.

## Fields

- Kind: Technology
- Status: established
- Last checked: 2026-11-04
- Also known as: Intrathecal pump; Intrathecal drug delivery system; Spinal pump; SynchroMed; Prometra
- Tags: devices-gaps-2026-11
- Principle: A battery-powered peristaltic or valve-metering pump in a subcutaneous pocket delivers drug through a catheter into the intrathecal space; a clinician reprograms it wirelessly and refills it through the skin.
- Since: 1988
- Strengths: Small intrathecal doses can control pain with fewer whole-body side effects; Dose can be changed without surgery
- Limitations: Needs an operation, refills and a specialist team; Infection, catheter problems and dosing errors

## Sources

- FDA PMA P860004: Medtronic SynchroMed infusion system: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfpma/pma.cfm?id=P860004
- FDA PMA P080012: Prometra programmable infusion pump system (7 February 2012): https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfpma/pma.cfm?id=P080012

## Connected records

- fronts: [Devices & Physical Therapies](https://onco.cc/fronts/devices/), [Supportive Care & Survivorship](https://onco.cc/fronts/supportive-care/)
- technologies: [Cancer pain management](https://onco.cc/technologies/pain-management/), [Early integrated palliative care](https://onco.cc/technologies/palliative-care/), [Implanted hepatic artery infusion pump (Intera 3000)](https://onco.cc/technologies/hepatic-arterial-infusion-pump/), [Patient-controlled analgesia pumps](https://onco.cc/technologies/pca-pumps/)
- companies: [Medtronic](https://onco.cc/companies/medtronic/)
- terms: [Intrathecal therapy (lumbar puncture, Ommaya reservoir)](https://onco.cc/terms/intrathecal-therapy/)

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