# Customer discovery for minimally invasive nerve block device to treat severe pain and reduce usage of opiates

> **NIH NIH R41** · THERMAQUIL, INC. · 2020 · $55,000

## Abstract

Abstract:
Thoracotomy is one of the most painful surgical procedures and patients are at high risk of developing
opioid addiction. Recent studies have shown 1 in 7 patients became new persistent opioid users after
physical recovery from the surgery was complete. The largest risk factor for opioid addiction is being
prescribed opioids in the first place, and Thermaquil wants to reduce this incidence by developing
patient-controlled, drug-free, reversible nerve block devices. Our approach involves gently warming and
cooling a short segment of any nerve, and we believe that all mammalian and amphibian nerves are
susceptible to thermal nerve blocks. In the parent STTR to this I-Corps proposal, we are specifically
blocking intercostal nerves that transmit severe thoracic-region pain. The system includes a minimally
invasive thermal tip and an externally worn controller/power unit. The thermal tip will be primarily
inserted by thoracic surgeons, regional (peripheral) anesthesiologists and interventional pain specialists
– so people in these roles will likely be the initial targets of our I-Corps Customer Discovery work.
Thermaquil has a highly engaged team of world renowned thought-leaders in neurosurgery,
neuropathology, anesthesiology, pain, computational fluid dynamics and thermal modeling, and
regulatory affairs. We have designed and built four generations of thermal device prototypes and
validated their thermal performance matches expectations to attain thermal nerve block efficacy.
Thermal nerve block is potentially applicable to a wide range of human pain conditions. In this I-Corps
project we want to confirm that we are selecting most ideal initial target market and that we are
developing the right product to fully meet the critical needs of the market and all key stakeholders in the
ecosystem. This proposed Customer Discovery will refine Thermaquil’s go to market strategy including
our value proposition while also starting to explore reimbursement and revenue considerations to make
sure that our selected market is viable financially. If new market needs are identified, alternate nerve
block devices or approaches could be adapted to best meet the better understood need. Specifically we
seek to understand current surgical and patient / care team workflows and opportunities/challenges
with current approaches. We’d like to clarify what ‘job’ we can help each stakeholder accomplish and
the outcomes that they are trying to achieve. This will help us define an ideal product-market-fit to
confirm that we are approaching the right foothold market with the right technical solution. We’d also
like to identify other constraints and concerns that decision-makers will have when considering new
pain block solutions. Thermaquil commits to interview over 100 key stakeholders to clarify these points
and plans to attend 1-2 national conferences for pain specialists and thoracic anesthesiologists.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10086831
- **Project number:** 3R41NS115460-01S1
- **Recipient organization:** THERMAQUIL, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** STEPHEN L MELONI
- **Activity code:** R41 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $55,000
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2020-04-29 → 2020-09-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10086831

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10086831, Customer discovery for minimally invasive nerve block device to treat severe pain and reduce usage of opiates (3R41NS115460-01S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-11 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10086831. Licensed CC0.

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