# Safe Direct Current Stimulator (SDCS) technology for blocking chronic  peripheral pain

> **NIH NIH R01** · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $538,886

## Abstract

Project Summary
 The central goal of this project is to advance the therapeutic applications and the potential for using ionic
direct current to interact with the nervous system. Direct current (DC) compared to biphasic charge balanced
pulses normally used by neural prostheses to interface to the nervous system, can more naturally control neural
activity. Unlike biphasic current pulses used to excite neurons, DC can excite, inhibit, and modulate sensitivity
of neurons. While DC can be used for short durations to interact with the nervous system, chronic use of this
stimulation paradigm for implantable prosthetic applications has not been possible due to the DC’s inherent
violation of the charge injection safety constraints at the metal electrode interfaces. New technology, safe direct
current stimulation (SDCS) overcomes these constraints and opens an additional avenue for research into
exciting possibilities of using DC to interface to the nervous system.
 We will optimize the use of ionic DC to improve the performance of chronic pain suppression. Chronic
pain suppression requires inhibiting pain carrying neurons from conducting action potentials. We obtained
preliminary data in an anesthetized rat model showing that safe DC neural block at the sciatic nerve could
suppress pain signals from propagating to the spinal cord, but allow normal propagation of sensation and muscle
movement.
 Here we propose to understand the mechanism behind safe DC modulation of pain signals through
anesthetized mouse and rat experiments. We will conduct the behavioral experiments to understand the
effectiveness of this technology for addressing chronic pain in an awake animal. We will also conduct histological
studies to investigate the biological impact of the therapy. Finally, we will advance the SDCS technology by
identifying and solving the key technical challenges with a miniaturized and implantable SDCS.
 Aim 1. Examine the mechanism of the iDC effect on suppression of nociceptive pain.
 Aim 2. Examine the effects and underlying mechanisms of iDC on neuropathic pain signals.
 Aim 3. Behavioral experiments to study iDC for inhibition of neuropathic pain.
 Aim 4. Implantable SDCS technology development.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10141307
- **Project number:** 5R01NS110893-02
- **Recipient organization:** JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Gene Yevgeny Fridman
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $538,886
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-04-15 → 2024-04-14

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10141307

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10141307, Safe Direct Current Stimulator (SDCS) technology for blocking chronic  peripheral pain (5R01NS110893-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10141307. Licensed CC0.

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