Louisiana Patent of the Month – October 2024
Wavegate Corporation has pioneered an innovative approach to spinal cord stimulation (SCS) with the introduction of their Randomized Intermittent Dichotomous Stimulation (RIDS) paradigm, aiming to significantly improve pain management for chronic pain sufferers. Unlike conventional SCS, which delivers continuous electrical impulses to the spinal cord, Wavegate’s invention integrates an “odd-ball” stimulus within the stimulation pulse train. This target stimulus is randomly interspersed, encouraging the patient to focus on the unique sensation, which triggers event-related brain potentials associated with pain relief pathways.
The RIDS system consists of a spinal cord stimulator with a processor, pulse generator, and electrodes, which are programmed to deliver both traditional pain-modulating pulses and these randomized odd-ball stimuli. By introducing a perceptible, non-noxious stimulus in conjunction with spinal cord stimulation, the invention taps into the brain’s cognitive and emotional processing of pain, without exacerbating the negative sensory effects. This technique not only influences the spinal pathways responsible for pain perception but also activates the brain’s descending inhibitory pathways, including the medial prefrontal cortex and periaqueductal gray, which are critical for pain modulation.
The unique combination of ascending spinal stimulation and cognitive engagement through the odd-ball stimuli allows for a more comprehensive approach to pain management. The RIDS paradigm encourages patients to respond to the intermittent stimuli, potentially improving attention, reducing pain memory, and enhancing long-term relief. This dual-action stimulation offers a promising advancement in SCS technology, helping to address both the physical and cognitive components of chronic pain, thus enhancing the overall efficacy and durability of spinal cord stimulation treatments.
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