Image Credit: Neuronoff
Some time ago, I posted about Bioness’ “StimRouter”, which is an externally-powered implantable peripheral nerve stimulator designed to reduce chronic pain. Unlike most externally-powered neurostimulators this device is not powered by RF received from the external transmitter. Instead, the external pulse transmitter is more like a TENS unit with gelled electrodes applied to the skin. The implant has no electronic components. It is just a lead that has a coil electrode that intercepts part of the current between the TENS electrodes, and routes the captured current to small electrodes in contact with the target nerve at the distal end of the lead.
A similar approach is now being trialed under an IDE by Cleveland-based Neuronoff, Inc. Their “Injectrode” approach consists of an implanted lead that is injected via an 18 ga needle injection. The lead is activated transcutaneously with an external stimulator. The procedure, performed similarly to a steroid injection, does not require sutures to secure it inside the body. Neuronoff claims that the Injectrode design minimizes the risk of lead migration by self-anchoring and conforming to the patient’s anatomy.
In addition to using the Injectrode as a passive relay for an external pulse generator, Neuronoff is developing a “Handshake” adapter that enables the connection of one or more Injectrodes to an IPG (Neuronoff / MDT / BSX / ABT / NVRO / Biotronik) or Receiver (Neuronoff / Nalu / Curonix).