Spinal Cord Stimulator for Pain Management: Review

Abstract

Spinal Cord Stimulator (SCS) is used as the most effective solution for chronic pain due to the destruction of nerves, axonal networks, and glial membranes caused by spinal injuries. Because of today’s technological advances and updated materials, state-of-the-art neurostimulators are presented, and the materials used in the explained device are applied. Firstly, the method of stimulation is updated after considering that low-frequency stimulation can cause discomfort and that high-frequency stimulation can replace low-frequency stimulation, so by combining these two options, it was concluded that using low frequency to stimulate muscle tissue and high frequency to stimulate the nerves would give better results; secondly, the selection of materials was then considered in terms of four aspects: substrate, encapsulation, electrical tracks, electrodes, and the electrodes were found in the form of Pt-Ir film is a material with good adaptability; finally, the two significant aspects of material attachment to the skin and transmission of electrical energy are studied in the wearability. In the material attachment program to the skin, electronic skin have stretchability, adhesion, and breathability. In the study of power transmission, there are two approaches, wired transmission and wireless transmission, and the wired transmission pointed out the friction nanogenerator, thermoelectric generator, and temperature difference generator. Wireless transmission mainly consists of ultrasonic vibration transmission and inductive electrical energy transmission.