Neurostimulation technology has been around for quite a while, but emerging use cases for “beyond-the-pill” applications have contributed to an uptick in interest in the field. We are beginning to see some exciting applications emerge as scientists and OEM’s uncover the possibilities of the technology to treat a wide variety of diseases and illnesses. 

In fact, according to Grand View Research’s Industry Analysis, the global neurostimulation devices market size was valued at USD 4.99 billion in 2018 and is anticipated to witness a CAGR of 12.5% from 2019 - 2026. 

In this article, we’ll share a brief history of neurostimulation, its advantages, and a glimpse at key players and promising startups who are using the technology to grow this medical field of the future. 

What is Neurostimulation? 

This still-emerging technology field treats the nervous system directly with implantable or wearable devices that rebalance neural circuitry with pulses of electrical currents. Devices leveraging the technology work to alter neural activities and provide much needed therapeutic relief for an unprecedented number of people affected by debilitating neurological and psychiatric disorders worldwide. 

For example, neurostimulation is particularly used for various diseases such as epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, chronic pain, and depression.  Innovation in medical technology has already begun to drive the evolution of devices that seek to treat conditions ranging from pelvic floor disorders to apnea to chronic pain and inflammation.

The rise of modern-day neurostimulation therapies extends over half a century, with scientific discoveries and technological advances that have led to different strategies for treatment.

Grand View Research cites the recent growth in neurostimulation therapies and devices is due in part to the “growing geriatric population, the introduction of technologically advanced products, escalating product demand as an add-on therapy, and increasing incidence of chronic diseases, such as migraines, epilepsy, and the presence of highly unmet medical needs in these disease segments.

Traditionally, neurostimulation has been delivered via implantable devices but, more recently, we’ve been seeing neurostimulation technology emerging in more non-invasive scenarios to treat a broader range of conditions.

Advantages of Neurostimulation

Treatment Focality

The ability to direct therapeutic energy toward the location of concern is an important feature of neurostimulation. Therapies can be targeted at the region where they matter which lessens concern about exposure to other regions of the body (minimizing or avoiding the effects on non-targeted tissue or systems).

Neurostimulation approaches can also vary in their depth of penetration — meaning they can be invasive or non-invasive — as well as their depth of penetration. 

Drug-free Solutions

In a society suffering from opioid addiction, non-pharmacological solutions began to get serious attention in 2019. The drug-free advantages of neurostimulation are also a hot topic that is being embraced by pain specialists seeking non-opioid treatments. Neurostimulation satisfies this concern as it avoids the systemic impacts and possible addictive outcomes of drug therapy. Chronic pain management without opioids can be a lifesaver for many. 

Provide Relief Where Other Treatments Have Not Been Successful 

In addition, neurostimulators may provide relief when other treatments — like medications or injections — have not. 

For example, while there may be effective treatments for depression, the go-to approaches such as antidepressant medication and psychotherapy don’t work for everyone. In fact, according to an article in the Harvard Health Blog, approximately two-thirds of people with depression don’t get adequate relief. 

A newer treatment option called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive form of brain stimulation that treats the specific areas of the brain involved in depression. This is a much more gentle – and well-tolerated – approach for those suffering from recurring mood disorders.

Where and How has Neurostimulation Been Successfully Applied in the Past? What to Expect from the MedTech Giants

Some of the longest-running work in neurostimulation is being done inside the medical device giants walls such as Medtronic (in their long-standing neuromodulation program), Autonomic Technologies, Boston Scientific and ImThera Medical (LivaNova). 

Prominent players in the Global Neurostimulation Devices market include: 

Medtronic - Incontinence 

Medtronic’s Bowel Control Therapy – InterStim™ System – is a proven treatment option that targets the communication problem between the brain and the sacral nerves. These nerves then help control the muscles related to bowel function. The therapy targets the symptoms of bowel incontinence by modulating the sacral nerves with mild electrical pulses from a device implanted into the body. 

Autonomic Technologies - Cluster Headaches and Migraines

ATI Neurostimulation System developed by Autonomic Technologies is a rechargeable, implantable designed to relieve the acute pain of cluster headaches and to reduce the frequency of cluster headache attacks. 

Boston Scientific - Chronic Pain

Boston Scientific’s Spinal Cord Stimulator called the Spectra WaveWriterTM is for chronic pain sufferers. The tiny pulses of electric currents through the spinal cord mask the pain signals traveling to the brain giving the patient relief. 

ImThera Medical - Obstructive Sleep Apnea

ImThera Medical (LivaNova)’s THN Sleep Therapy is an implantable therapy for the treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea. The implant delivers therapy through neurostimulation technology and was specifically designed to deliver muscle tone to key tongue muscles, effectively controlling upper airway flow and significantly reducing or eliminating sleep apnea. 

Less-invasive Emerging Technologies & Startups on the Bleeding Edge 

While some of the larger companies are already starting to corner the neurostimulation market, there are some entrepreneurial innovators on the bleeding edge of this technology as well. 

Emerging therapies looking to make a splash in this new decade include:

EMulate Therapeutics - Brain Cancer 

EMulate Therapeutics groundbreaking technology utilizes precisely targeted, ultra-low radiofrequency energy (ulRFE®) to treat a wide range of diseases including chronic pain, inflammation, and brain cancer. 

The ulRFE® uses neurostimulation technology to specifically regulate signaling and metabolic pathways on the molecular and genetic levels – without chemicals, radiation or drugs – to the target regions and is delivered via a simple-to-use non-invasive device called the VOYAGER.  

The company’s goal is to transform disease treatment on a global scale to be less toxic, less invasive, and more effective, using precise ultra-low radiofrequency energy. The proprietary technology has the potential to be applied to a wide range of conditions, as well as veterinary medicine and non-medical applications. 

University of Michigan - Tinnitus

Tinnitus – or ringing in the ears – is a condition that affects millions of Americans, leading to psychological distress and in severe cases, hearing loss. New research out of the University of Michigan shows an experimental device could help quiet the noise by targeting erratic nerve activity in the brain. 

Current approaches include therapy and sounds to mask the ringing in an attempt to modulate the brain response. 

In an interview with the University of Michigan News, professor Susan Shore, who leads the research team noted that “the brain, and specifically the region of the brainstem called the dorsal cochlear nucleus, is the root of tinnitus … if we can stop these signals, we can stop tinnitus.”

This new neurostimulation device delivers precisely-timed sounds and soft electrical pulses to activate touch-sensitive nerves, both aimed at steering damaged nerve cells back to normal activity. 

hapbee - Mood Alteration

Bringing this technology to the consumer crowd, a new-to-market device is the hapbee headset. Touted as “the first wearable that lets you augment your feelings,” all you have to do is place the band on your head or your neck, and it will gently apply high and low frequencies that stimulate your brain. 

The hapbee headband has different functions that will allow you to do different things. If you’re feeling stressed, there is a setting to bring you feelings of calm and relaxation. Where is that focus you so desperately need to finish your work project? Adjust the hapbee app to help you zone in. If you need an energy boost to get to the gym, there’s a setting for that too. You just select the program you want to run on your smartphone and put the hapbee device on. 

NeuroTronik - Heart Failure 

Currently in development, NeuroTronik’s device treats patients who go to the hospital for worsening symptoms of acute heart failure syndrome. The device uses neurostimulation to jumpstart the patient's heart electrically so it can pump consistently and more effectively. 

Neurostimulation in the New Decade

With a lot of progress being made in the neurostimulation market, we see plenty of open areas for innovation. The promise of providing non-invasive options to treat disease, pain, mental illness, and chronic conditions makes this a very exciting technology to follow. While further research and innovation will continue to highlight the relative benefits and risks of neurostimulation, we will continue to see dramatic leaps as OEM’s and innovators strive to harness the power of neurostimulation.