While demand for spinal cord stimulation (SCS) devices used in pain management continues to expand at double-digit rates, a small but growing number of highly innovative companies that develop stimulators to specifically target peripheral nerve pain is creating excitement among pain doctors looking for better options to treat an intractable population that's seen little success with standard therapy. With millions of people worldwide suffering from low back pain, severe headaches and migraines, neck pain and other chronic pain, the demand for safe, effective, percutaneously-placed devices remains high. In this article, we'll highlight emerging companies working on PNS devices and provide insights from pain physicians on the pros and cons of these devices.

Third-quarter device financing at $2.38 billion – almost half of that amount from CooperSurgical's $1.1 billion bridge loan – was double the Q2 total, while device acquisitions showed a steep decrease at $3.38 billion versus Q2's $33.4 billion. Diagnostics fundraising also was up in the third quarter, reaching $2.4 billion (a 133% increase over Q2) mostly from Thermo Fisher Scientific's $1.5 billion follow-on offering, which accounted for 63% of the total. In line with the previous quarter's $1.7 billion in M&A, Q3 diagnostics acquisitions had an aggregate value of $1.8 billion, led by Konica Minolta's $1 billion buy of Ambry Genetics.

The Smartpatch from SPR Therapeutics LLC stimulates the peripheral nerves that carry the pain signal to the central nervous system. The minimally invasive and reversible neurostimulation system can remain implanted for up to 60 days, offering therapy to patients in acute as well as chronic pain.

The Smartpatch from SPR Therapeutics LLC stimulates the peripheral nerves that carry the pain signal to the central nervous system. The minimally invasive and reversible neurostimulation system can remain implanted for up to 60 days, offering therapy to patients in acute as well as chronic pain.