Neuros Medical, a Cleveland, Ohio based neuromodulation company, developed the Altius implantable system to deliver Electrical Nerve Block therapy for the treatment of chronic pain in a variety of applications including neuroma/residual limb pain, chronic post surgical pain, and chronic migraine.
Neuros Medical’s technology was developed by Drs. Kevin Kilgore and Niloy Bhadra of Case Western Reserve University’s Department of Biomedical Engineering and MetroHealth Medical Center. It was developed through funding from the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering. The concept behind Neuros’ Electrical Nerve Block therapy is to deliver high-frequency stimulation to sensory nerves in the peripheral nervous system to block chronic pain.
On June 4, 2013 Neuros Medical announced results from their long term pilot study which focused on patients afflicted with chronic amputation pain. According to the press release:
Results indicated that 7 out of 9 study subjects reported significant pain reduction (defined as 50% or greater) observed for up to 12 months of evaluation. The study demonstrated no safety issues over the treatment period. Study subjects reported an average pain score reduction of 6 to 1 (an 83% pain reduction) based on a 0 to 10 Numerical Rating Scale. Significant pain reduction was reported in 91% of all treatment sessions. In addition, more than half of the subjects discontinued their narcotic pain medication use during the study.