Worldwide, around 1.5 billion people suffer from chronic pain. Chronic pain undermines the ability to lead a productive working and social life, and it has significant impacts on the private and public economy. The estimated total cost for chronic pain is calculated to reach yearly aas much as €455 billion in the USA, and €300 billion in Europe.

Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) is a pain relief technique that consist of delivering current pulses to the spinal cord in order to block the sensation of pain. Basic SCS devices comprise implantable leads that are connected to a pulse generator controlled by a control unit.

The leads currently available in the market are rather bulky and rigid, poorly stretchable and usually their implantation requires a complex chirurgical intervention.

The Percutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation Paddle Lead (SCS Expert) proposed by WISE is a foldable lead fit for minimally invasive percutaneous implantation, which can be achieved by neurosurgeons and anaesthetists. This innovative product addresses a key market need within the SCS segment of the growing neuromodulation market.

The goal of this project (PercPad) is to complete the development of SCS Expert and to prepare the path to introduce it into market by the Q4 2022.

Funded by the European Commission – European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency – GA No. 959546

Call: Horizon 2020 EIC Accelerator (H2020-EIC-SMEInst-2018-2020)

Period: September 2020 – August 2022