Understanding SPRINT PNS System
The SPRINT PNS System is a revolutionary development in the field of pain management. This innovative system offers both chronic and acute pain patients a significant and sustained relief. A critical feature of the SPRINT PNS System is its ability to selectively stimulate targeted peripheral nerve fibers to achieve these results. As per SPR Therapeutics, over 70% of patients have reported significant and sustained pain relief with this system.
Introduction to SPRINT PNS
The SPRINT Peripheral Nerve Stimulator (PNS) is a breakthrough treatment solution that has been designed to manage chronic pain. It is a drug-free and surgery-free treatment option that provides individuals suffering from chronic and acute pain with significant relief. The system includes a minimally invasive 60-day implant that has been designed to provide long-term relief from various types of chronic pain, including low back pain, shoulder pain, head and neck pain, post-amputation pain, as well as chronic and acute post-operative pain [1].
The SPRINT PNS System is cleared for use up to 60 days and does not require any permanent implants. It is designed to provide a short-term pain treatment that yields long-term relief. The system is indicated for use in providing symptomatic relief for chronic, intractable pain, post-surgical and post-traumatic acute pain, post-traumatic pain, and post-operative pain.
Mechanism of Action
The SPRINT PNS works by providing stimulation to targeted peripheral nerve fibers. This stimulation is delivered through a small hand-held remote, allowing the patient to control the amount of stimulation delivered. The stimulator is implanted near the location of the pain nerve through a minimally invasive procedure. Patients can use the stimulator for up to 60 days to deliver nerve stimulation as needed [2].
PNS is a system that applies electrical nerve stimulation by placing leads in close proximity to a named nerve. A pulse generator produces stimulation via the lead, with the settings controlled by a patient via a programmer. Evidence for the therapeutic role of PNS in lower extremity pain has been found. PNS is typically used for an identifiable lesion in a peripheral nerve, while spinal cord stimulation is used for failed back surgery syndrome, complex regional pain syndrome, painful diabetic neuropathy, and chronic intractable low back and lower limb pain.
By understanding the SPRINT PNS System and its mechanism of action, one can appreciate how this innovative technology is changing the landscape of pain management. With its ability to offer significant and sustained pain relief, the SPRINT PNS System is emerging as a reliable solution for managing chronic and acute pain.
Efficacy and Applications
The use of the Sprint Peripheral Nerve Stimulator (PNS) is becoming widely recognized for its effectiveness in providing pain relief. Its applications cover various conditions contributing to acute and chronic pain.
Pain Relief Success Rates
The Sprint PNS System is lauded as a breakthrough treatment for chronic and acute pain management. It provides significant and sustained relief from chronic pain by selectively stimulating targeted peripheral nerve fibers. According to SPR Therapeutics, over 70% of patients reported significant and sustained pain relief with this system.
Moreover, studies have shown that peripheral nerve stimulators, like the Sprint PNS, significantly decrease pain, reduce or remove the need for opioids, and improve quality of life measures in patients with back pain.
Treatment Type |
Success Rate |
Chronic Pain Management |
Over 70% |
Back Pain Treatment |
Significant Decrease |
Conditions Treated
The Sprint PNS System is cleared for use up to 60 days and has no permanent implants. It is designed as a minimally invasive, short-term pain treatment for long-term relief [5].
The system is indicated for up to 60 days to provide symptomatic relief for chronic, intractable pain, post-surgical and post-traumatic acute pain, post-traumatic pain, and post-operative pain, while cautioning against placing the system in regions innervated by cranial and facial nerves.
Furthermore, the Sprint PNS peripheral nerve stimulator is FDA-cleared for the treatment of acute and chronic pain, including post-operative and post-traumatic pain. Real-world data from a survey of 252 Sprint PNS patients has shown positive results in relieving pain.
Conditions Treated |
Treatment Duration |
Chronic, Intractable Pain |
Up to 60 days |
Post-Surgical and Post-Traumatic Acute Pain |
Up to 60 days |
Post-Traumatic Pain |
Up to 60 days |
Post-Operative Pain |
Up to 60 days |
The Sprint nerve stimulator has proven to be an effective tool in pain management, offering a promising alternative to traditional treatments.
Components and Functionality
The Sprint Peripheral Nerve Stimulator (PNS) system is comprised of several key components that contribute to its effectiveness and user-friendly operation. These components include the OnePass Introducer™, MicroLead™ technology, and a Pulse Generator with a Hand-Held Remote Control. Each of these components plays a crucial role in providing targeted stimulation to peripheral nerve fibers, offering relief from various types of chronic pain [2].
OnePass Introducer™
The OnePass Introducer™ is a key part of the Sprint PNS system. This component is used to introduce the MicroLead™ into the body in a minimally invasive procedure. The design of the OnePass Introducer™ allows for precise placement of the MicroLead™ near the location of the pain nerve. This precision is crucial for the effective delivery of stimulation to the targeted nerve fibers.
MicroLead™ Technology
The MicroLead™ is a crucial component of the Sprint PNS system. This small device, once implanted near the location of the pain nerve, delivers the stimulation provided by the Pulse Generator. The MicroLead™ technology ensures that the stimulation is accurately targeted, providing effective relief from chronic pain. This component is designed for a 60-day use, after which it can be safely and easily removed.
Pulse Generator and Remote Control
The Pulse Generator is the power source for the Sprint PNS system, supplying the energy needed for the MicroLead™ to deliver stimulation to the targeted nerve fibers. The Pulse Generator is controlled by a small, hand-held Remote Control, which allows patients to manage their stimulation levels and settings according to their individual needs. This gives users the freedom and flexibility to adjust the intensity of the stimulation as needed, providing personalized relief from chronic pain [1].
In summary, the components of the Sprint PNS system are designed to work together to provide targeted and adjustable relief from chronic pain. By allowing patients to control the level and frequency of stimulation, the Sprint nerve stimulator offers a user-friendly, effective, and personalized solution for managing chronic pain.
Safety and Considerations
While exploring the benefits of the Sprint nerve stimulator, it's also crucial to understand its safety considerations and potential risks. This includes the recommended duration of use and potential adverse events.
Duration of Use
The SPRINT PNS System is designed as a minimally invasive, short-term pain treatment for long-term relief. It is cleared for use up to 60 days and does not involve any permanent implants. The system is indicated for providing symptomatic relief for several types of pain, including chronic, intractable pain, post-surgical and post-traumatic acute pain, post-traumatic pain, and post-operative pain [1].
However, the system should not be placed in regions innervated by cranial and facial nerves, and physicians should use their best judgment when deciding to use the SPRINT PNS System.
Adverse Events and Risks
As with any medical device, there are potential adverse events associated with the use of the Sprint nerve stimulator. The most common device-related adverse event reported in clinical studies was skin irritation. This includes inflammation, mild blistering, erythema, itching at the electrode exit site, granuloma, and pain after electrode placement. Infections have also been reported for about 1-2% of patients [6].
However, the majority of these adverse events were resolved with little to no intervention within a few days, and none were classified as serious. Serious adverse events have been rare.
It's also important to note that patients with a SPRINT PNS System in place are contraindicated for all MRI procedures, as exposure can cause tissue heating, injury, or unwanted stimulation. However, patients with a retained Lead remnant may be safely scanned anywhere in the body at 1.5T or 3.0T MRI under specific conditions. Failure to follow these conditions may result in injury [6].
In conclusion, while the Sprint nerve stimulator has been shown to be a safe and effective treatment for various types of pain, it's important for patients and physicians to be aware of the potential risks and to carefully follow safety guidelines.
Clinical Studies and Results
The effectiveness of the Sprint Nerve Stimulator has been substantiated through various clinical studies. These have demonstrated the device's capability in providing significant relief from different types of chronic and acute pain.
Postoperative Pain Relief
The Sprint Nerve Stimulator is a non-permanent, non-surgical treatment that provides relief for chronic and acute postoperative pain. It works by sending tiny electrical signals to peripheral nerves without the need for a permanent implant, surgery, or incisions. The device has been proven to offer pain relief for up to two years or more [4].
In addition to reducing pain levels, studies have shown that peripheral nerve stimulators, like the Sprint PNS, significantly reduce or remove the need for opioids, and improve quality of life measures in patients with back pain. This makes it an effective and safer alternative to conventional pain management methods [4].
CRPS Management
When it comes to managing Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), the Sprint Nerve Stimulator has shown promising results. An article published by SPR Therapeutics highlighted the sustained relief of CRPS pain following treatment with the Sprint PNS system, indicating its effectiveness in managing this challenging condition.
The Sprint Nerve Stimulator's success in providing significant and sustained pain relief is also endorsed by the fact that over 70% of patients reported substantial pain reduction with this system [5]. Furthermore, the device is cleared for use up to 60 days and has no permanent implants, making it a minimally invasive, short-term pain treatment for long-term relief.
These clinical studies and results underscore the potential of the Sprint Nerve Stimulator in providing effective pain relief for various conditions, reinforcing its reputation as a breakthrough in the field of pain management. As research progresses, we can expect to see more applications and benefits of this innovative technology being unveiled.
Future of Peripheral Nerve Stimulation
As the field of pain management continues to evolve, peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) technologies like the Sprint nerve stimulator are at the forefront of innovation. This section will explore the future advancements, funding, and potential applications of PNS for pain management.
Advancements and Funding
SPR Therapeutics, the developer of the Sprint PNS System, recently announced receiving $85 million in additional funding to support the rapid commercial expansion of the system. This significant investment underscores the growing recognition of PNS as an effective solution for pain management. The additional funding will help to increase the system's availability to a wider population, potentially offering relief to millions of individuals suffering from chronic and acute pain.
Potential Applications
The Sprint PNS System is already making a significant impact in the field of pain management. It is intended to provide significant and sustained relief from chronic pain without the need for permanent implants, offering a drug-free, surgery-free option for individuals suffering from chronic and acute pain. It is clinically proven, minimally invasive, and designed for long-term relief.
The system works by providing stimulation to targeted peripheral nerve fibers and has been effective for various types of chronic pain, including low back pain, shoulder pain, knee pain, foot pain, ankle pain, and post-amputation pain. For some individuals who have not found relief through other methods, the nerve stimulator used for 60 days could offer long-term relief.
Clinical studies support the potential applications of the Sprint nerve stimulator. One study published in the journal Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine revealed that using the 60-day nerve stimulator resulted in at least a 50% reduction in average weekly pain and pain interference among lower extremity amputees suffering from phantom limb pain. There was also a significant reduction in depression in the group that received the nerve stimulator compared to those who received a placebo [2].
Another study published in the journal Pain Practice demonstrated that the nerve stimulator significantly reduced pain intensity in participants with chronic low back pain; nearly 70% of the participants experienced substantial pain reduction. Furthermore, at the one-year follow-up after the stimulator's removal, participants reported significant reductions in pain and disability without any adverse reactions [2].
These promising results highlight the potential of the Sprint nerve stimulator in addressing a wide range of pain conditions, opening up new possibilities for future applications of PNS in pain management. As more clinical studies are conducted, the scope of PNS applications is likely to expand, offering hope for countless individuals seeking relief from chronic pain.
References
[1]: https://www.sprtherapeutics.com/sprint-pns-system/
[2]: https://keck.usc.edu/news/nerve-stimulator-shows-promising-results-in-reducing-chronic-pain/
[3]: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9313008/
[4]: https://www.neurosurgeryone.com/treatment/sprint-peripheral-nerve-stimulation/
[5]: https://www.sprtherapeutics.com/
[6]: https://www.sprtherapeutics.com/physicians/important-safety-information/