Image Credit: Abbott
Spinal Cord Stimulation uses quite a bit of power, which is why SCS IPGs have either been rechargeable, or operated from a primary cell, but compromised on longevity.
Because recharging is sometimes perceived by patients as a hassle, SCS companies have been developing and testing “low-dose” stimulation regimens with the intention of yielding high-longevity SCS IPGs that don’t require recharging.
In September 2019 FDA approved Abbott’s Proclaim™ XR neurostimulation system which uses Abbott’s proprietary, low energy BurstDR™ therapy coupled with the BoldXR™ low dosing protocol for safe, effective pain relief and a battery that lasts up to 10 Years (at low-dose settings).
Approval was based on the results of the “BurstDR micrOdosing stimuLation in De-novo” patients (BOLD) study, which showed 100% of 24 enrolled patients on a low-energy BurstDR dosing program experienced pain relief with less than six hours of battery use per day, while approximately 50% of those patients achieved pain relief with the lowest effective dose (less than two hours of battery use per day). Even at the highest settings, the systems were still in use only 25% of the time.