Research Article Open Access

Novel Minimally Invasive Wireless Nanotechnology Neuromodulation System in the Management of Chronic Pain Syndromes

Abstract

Chronic back pain has been reported to plague over 90 million Americans, with a large percentage of inflicted forced to manage their pain with addictive and dangerous opioid therapies as their only long-term remedy. Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has been proven to be a reliable adjunctive therapy for over 40 years to assist in pain management for those with failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS), however limitations in waveforms to prevent plasticity as well as the need for expensive and highly invasive surgery have limited the adoption of neurostimulation. Recent advancements in nanotechnology enabled minimally invasive procedural approaches that both lower tissue trauma for the patient, and provide a lower cost option for the combination management of pain. Wireless neuromodulation leveraging advancements in nanotechnology for the relief of chronic pain in multiple trials and case studies. A miniature stimulator device with microelectronics is placed by percutaneous methods at targeted nerves and controlled by a wireless power generator outside the patients’ body providing pain relief for a number of conditions like chronic back pain secondary to failed back surgery, facial pain, and post-herpes zoster neuralgia. Device migrations occurred in a small number of patients and securing the device in-situ has been a topic for further refinements. Devices with nanotechnology materials and wireless control have better efficiency because of improved neural-electric interface (replacing the more popular term, the brain-machine-interface). These techniques offer less invasive, less expensive and yet improved outcomes with better cosmetic results and safety profiles. Wider applications of the technology, however, require further studies on more patients and metrics for outcome evaluations.

Laura Tyler Perryman

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