title: [Devices for the relief and evaluation of pain: preface and comments].
abstract: Pain is the most popular complaint since the appearance of the human on earth, a very unpleasant feeling sometimes difficult to be treated. Therefore, we have many patients who complain of pain in our hospitals or clinics. When a patient with pain visits our institution, first of all, we must evaluate the grade of pain, and then start to treat the pain of the patient. Of course, we have many devices available to treat the patient with pain. In the following special articles, device for evaluation of pain, spinal stimulation device, device for electrical current therapy (ECT), LASER device for chronic and acute pain, epiduroscopy for lumbago, as well as disposable infusion pump for postoperative pain and cancer pain are described. The mechanism of pain may be understood by patients themselves. However, devices in these articles are very useful for the treatment of pain, especially intractable pain. I feel very happy if these articles contribute greatly for the treatment of patients with pain.
authors.affiliation: JR Tokyo General Hospital, Tokyo.
authors.forename: Kazuo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hanaoka
mesh_terms: D016058:Analgesia, Patient-Controlled / Q000295:instrumentation; D004209:Disposable Equipment; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation; D006801:Humans; D007260:Infusion Pumps; D053685:Laser Therapy; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis; D059408:Pain Management; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000295:instrumentation*