History of SCS and patient-focused innovations: a manufacturer’s perspective on the role of technology

Background The first case study of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) for pain treatment, published in 1967, catalyzed decades of research to improve and optimize this therapy. Content Overview This article provides an overview of the history of SCS technology, including advances made by industrial and academic innovators in lead designs, neurostimulator features, and battery chemistry. Foundational randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and a timeline of key product releases from the early 1970s are highlighted. The second half of the article discusses SCS technology advancements from a manufacturer’s perspective and how they relate to improving the overall patient therapy experience. Conclusions Specific SCS technology advancements that have focused on the patient’s needs include: The development of patient programmers, enhanced rechargeable battery technology, position-adaptive neurostimulators, full-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) conditionality, and sensing-based closed-loop features.