Out of the 40 million Americans who suffer from chronic pain, very few get lasting relief. Current drug treatments can have negative side effects, and implantable neurostimulation devices are only effective long-term for 1 out of 7 patients who are outfitted with permanent implants. The wires in neurostimulation devices may break, or the device itself may migrate.
MicroTransponder is developing a wireless neurostimulation device for the treatment of chronic pain. The Dallas-based company recently announced a $7 million Series B round of funding. The company also received a $2.6 million grant from the National Institutes of Health. The funding will allow MicroTransponder to initiate clinical trials of the SAINT MicroStim System.
The SAINT (Subcutaneous Arrangement of Implantable Neural Transponders) Microstim System is free of batteries or wires. The system includes an injectable neurostimulator that is implanted under the skin in a 30-minute outpatient procedure. The implant is controlled with an external device that can be worn like an armband. Patients will be able to hook the controller up to a laptop or PDA to alter the device settings to the patient’s specifications. The SAINT Microstim System is based on technology developed in a prosthetics program at the University of Texas in Dallas.
MicroTransponder President Jordan Curnes expects the system to be on the market by the end of 2011. MicroTransponder is also developing the device for conditions including stroke rehabilitation, autism and tinnitus.