# High-Resolution, Spinal Cord Stimulation for Non-Opioid Treatment of Neuropathic Pain

> **NIH NIH U44** · MICRO-LEADS, INC. · 2024 · $640,917

## Abstract

In this SBIR FastTrack proposal, Micro-Leads will develop HD64—a high-resolution, 64-
channel spinal cord stimulation therapy to provide more pain relief with greater specificity for those suffering
from chronic neuropathic pain and opioid dependence. Over 25 million in the U.S. suffer from debilitating pain
in the trunk and extremities and 55% depend on opioids to ease their suffering. Opioid abuse has claimed the
lives of over 200,000 over the past decade and has resulted in devastating reductions in quality of life, in ability
to work, and in mental health for the living. Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has provided pain relief for 60% of
those with chronic extremity pain and eliminated opioid use entirely in more than 50%. Despite these advantages,
SCS has had a limited success treating isolated pain of the knee, foot, groin, or low-back. The lateral positioned
fibers of the spinal cord (ex. the dorsal root entry zone and dorsal horn) represent a more selective neural targeting
opportunity yet current, implantable plate-type surgical leads are too rigid and bulky to access these fibers without
a significant risk of paralysis or nerve root compression.
 HD64 provides an ultra-thin and conformal blanket of stimulation contacts across the entire width of the
spinal cord. Active-lead technology embeds a tiny electronic chip within the surgical lead and doubles the number
of therapy contacts compared with current technology without increasing the number of lead-wires. Collectively,
these features improve therapy and simplify surgical workflow. A novel Active-Lead Controller Implantable
Pulse Generator (AL-IPG) powers the chip safely, synchronizes with the active-lead electronics, configures the 8
programmable “therapy groups”, and ensures therapy pulses are delivered to the tissue. HD64 therapy is a highly
significant, novel solution for the treatment of patients suffering from chronic pain and opioids.
 PHASE 1: A cadaveric pilot run followed by a non-significant risk intraoperative study (n=6) will be
performed to inform the geometric and electrophysiological design parameters of high-resolution HD64 arrays.
The study will evaluate activation of medial and lateral spinal targets as measured by intraoperative
neuromonitoring of electromyography. At the end of Phase 1, the clinical feasibility of HD64 surgical leads will
be established. PHASE 2: In Phase 2, we have HD64 active leads assembled by a GMP manufacturer. We will
develop an external Active Lead Pulse Generator and charger which will be submitted for IDE approval. We will
perform an Early Feasibility Study Human Trial using active HD64 and AL-IPG hardware (n=10 subjects, n=23
therapy groups, n=2 waveforms). During Phase 2, we will also perform mechanical and electrical design
verification testing and chronic safety studies in large animals to demonstrate functional performance to inform
the final device. By the end of Phase 2, we will have completed all necessary tasks to inform the final d...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10782012
- **Project number:** 5U44NS115111-05
- **Recipient organization:** MICRO-LEADS, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** Bryan L McLaughlin
- **Activity code:** U44 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $640,917
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-09-30 → 2026-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10782012

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10782012, High-Resolution, Spinal Cord Stimulation for Non-Opioid Treatment of Neuropathic Pain (5U44NS115111-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10782012. Licensed CC0.

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