FED:Tiny device, big impact on chronic pain

AAP General News (Australia)
12-13-2010
FED:Tiny device, big impact on chronic pain

By Danny Rose, AAP Medical Writer

SYDNEY, Dec 13 AAP - Australian scientists are working on a tiny device that promises
to have a big impact on treating chronic pain.

The INS2 device, which has "smart chips" the size of a match-head and a power source
about the size of mobile phone sim card, is seen as a major advance on the now matchbox-sized
conventional technology.

The experimental device can be placed by the spine or in other locations inside the
body where Dr John Parker said it could be "fine-tuned" to help block out chronic pain.

"We are working to make this medical device much smaller and much smarter than current
technologies, to get better outcomes for patients," said Dr Parker, chief technology officer
at the Sydney-based National ICT Australia (NICTA).

"The device will also be able to measure signals carried by the nerves, allowing it
to be fine-tuned to manage different levels of pain."

The device works by placing one or more of the tiny smartchips onto a target nerve,
where they monitor pain signals being sent to the brain.

The chips can emit an up-to 10 volt electric pulse into the nerve, to disrupt these
signals and so the patient feels less pain.

The technology could be used to treat not only chronic back, lower limb or nerve damage
pain but also help to tackle migraine headaches or improve control of Parkinson's Disease
tremors or epileptic seizures.

It also has a tiny computer processor powered by a miniature battery and, unlike conventional
devices, the battery is charged wirelessly - ruling out the need for a wire to exit the
body.

"The new NICTA device will be much smaller (than alternatives) allowing it to be located
close to the spine, making implant surgery easier and improving device reliability due
to the need for shorter connection leads," Dr Parker said.

The technology has been in development for two years, and human trials of the device
are expected to get underway next year.

NICTA, which is funded by the NSW and Australian governments, aims to commercialise
and manufacture the device in Sydney with plans for a new spin-off company, Saluda Medical,
on the drawing board.

"This exciting new technology research, being led right here in Sydney, has the potential
to deliver a revolution in the management of chronic pain and bring relief to many thousands
of sufferers worldwide," said NSW Minister for State and Regional Development Eric Roozendaal.

"... We want to ensure this valuable intellectual property remains in Australian hands,"

he also said.

Mr Roozendaal said the NSW Government had invested $45 million in NICTA since 2002
and was now committing a further $9 million as part of the state's $36 million digital
economy strategy.

AAP dr/maur

KEYWORD: PAIN (GRAPHIC AVAILABLE)

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