University of Pittsburgh researchers have created an innovative approach to restore naturalistic sensation and reduce pain in individuals with limb amputation.
Description
Electrical stimulation of the dorsal spinal roots has the potential to restore sensation and reduce pain in individuals with limb amputation. By varying different stimulation parameters, such as amplitude, pulse width, and frequency, it may be possible to produce naturalistic sensations that appear to emanate from the missing limb, potentially eliminating phantom limb pain. These effects may be achieved by targeting the spinal nerves with trains of stimulus pulses using FDA-approved, commercially available spinal cord stimulation leads or more complex, anatomically adaptable devices.
Applications
Phantom limb pain
Amputation
Spinal cord stimulation
Advantages
Existing spinal cord stimulation technologies mainly produce paresthesia or non-natural buzzing sensations to reduce pain. With this innovative, proposed approach, by generating more natural sensations, limb pain reduction can be achieved without producing paresthesia. The naturalistic sensation may increase patient comfort, achieve superior pain relief, and improve adoption of electrical stimulation devices for treatment of pain. By coupling stimulation with signals recorded from an instrumented prosthetic, it may be possible to restore sensation, reduce pain, and improve balance control during standing and walking.
Invention Readiness
There is in vivo data demonstrating subjects with upper- and lower-limb amputations and significant phantom limb pain reporting a clinically relevant decrease in McGill pain scores one-month post-implant.
IP Status
https://patents.google.com/patent/US20200324113A1
