SBIR Phase I: Percutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation Paddle Lead Using Shape Memory Polymer

NSF Award Search · 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT · $304,259 · view on nsf.gov ↗

Abstract

The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is a minimally invasive novel spinal cord stimulation (SCS) lead and procedure for use with spinal cord stimulators to treat chronic pain. Chronic back pain is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide affecting over 50 million adults in the US. Implantable SCS systems have been previously demonstrated to mitigate chronic back pain with an estimated $2.1 billion market. The novel approach combines the benefits of the two currently available types of spinal cord leads: cylindrical percutaneous and surgical paddle. Paddle leads offer greater coverage, better energy efficiency, and lower migration risk over cylindrical percutaneous leads but require more invasive surgical procedures to place. This project will develop a flexible multielectrode interface to improve therapeutic coverage and efficiency that enables minimally invasive placement through a needle. If successful, the project will reduce the invasiveness of current lead placement procedures, improve the rate of successful procedures, reduce opioid usage associated with back pain treatment, and reduce the estimated $300 billion in annual healthcare costs associated with chronic back pain in the US. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will develop a novel minimally invasive procedure deploying an implantable Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) lead by utilizing a shape memory polyme

Key facts

NSF award ID
2451746
Awardee
BACKSTOP NEURAL, INC (TX)
SAM.gov UEI
CEBNE64GUK93
PI
Pedro Emanuel Rocha Flores
Primary program
01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
All programs
BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
Estimated total
$304,259
Funds obligated
$304,259
Transaction type
Standard Grant
Period
10/01/2025 → 09/30/2026