Technologies

Ten manufacturers. Ten genuinely different answers to the same problem.

Neuromodulation is not one device with ten badges on it. These platforms differ in what they stimulate, how they decide how much to stimulate, whether they carry a battery at all, and — in two cases — whether they are trying to relieve pain or restore function. This chapter explains each one on its own terms.

Start with the categories

What You'll Learn

Approx. 14 min read

The three broad categories: spinal cord, focal nerve, and restorative
What open-loop and closed-loop stimulation actually mean
Why some systems have no implanted battery at all
How paresthesia-free waveforms differ from one another
Which platforms offer full-body MRI access
Why device selection follows the patient, not the other way around

How to read this chapter

Four questions separate these systems

Once you can answer these four questions about a device, you understand most of what makes it different from the one next to it.

What does it stimulate?

The dorsal columns of the spinal cord, a single dorsal root ganglion, a named peripheral nerve, or — with ReActiv8 — the nerve that drives a stabilising muscle.

How does it choose the dose?

Open-loop systems deliver a fixed output. Closed-loop systems measure the spinal cord's response to each pulse and correct the next one.

Where does the power come from?

A rechargeable implanted battery, a recharge-free primary cell, or no implanted battery at all — powered instead through the skin by a wearable.

What are the MRI terms?

Full-body access at 1.5T and 3T matters enormously if you expect to need repeat imaging. Conditions vary by generator, lead and scan protocol.

Category 01

Spinal Cord Stimulation

Systems that place leads in the epidural space to modulate signaling in the dorsal columns of the spinal cord.

neuromodulation.abbott
Abbott Neuromodulation
Spinal cord stimulation · DRG stimulation
SCS
DRG
BurstDR stimulation, and one of the two dorsal root ganglion platforms in the U.S.
- Proclaim PlusRecharge-free SCS
- Proclaim XRRecharge-free SCS
- EternaRechargeable SCS
Read the chapter
bostonscientific.com
Boston Scientific Neuromodulation
Spinal cord stimulation · Peripheral nerve stimulation
SCS
PNS
Multiple waveforms in one device, including fast-acting sub-perception therapy.
- WaveWriter AlphaSCS — rechargeable and primary cell
- Spectra WaveWriterSCS — rechargeable
- Nalu SystemPNS — battery-free micro-IPG
Read the chapter
medtronic.com
Medtronic
Spinal cord stimulation
SCS
Closed-loop
Closed-loop sensing with conditional full-body MRI access, plus the DTM waveform.
- InceptivClosed-loop rechargeable SCS
- Intellis ProRechargeable SCS
- VantaRecharge-free SCS
Manufacturer-authorised materials
Read the chapter
nevro.com
Nevro / Globus Medical
Spinal cord stimulation
SCS
10 kHz paresthesia-free stimulation, with indications in diabetic neuropathy and non-surgical back pain.
- Senza / HFX10 kHz SCS
- HFX iQAlgorithm-guided 10 kHz SCS
Read the chapter
saludamedical.com
Saluda Medical
Closed-loop spinal cord stimulation
SCS
Closed-loop
The first ECAP-controlled closed-loop system, adjusting on every pulse.
- EvokeECAP-controlled closed-loop SCS
Read the chapter
biotronik.com
BIOTRONIK Neuro
Spinal cord stimulation
SCS
Multiphase stimulation paired with automatic daily remote monitoring.
- Prospera SCS SystemMultiphase SCS with remote management
- Embrace OnePatient support and proactive care programme
- HomeStreamAutomatic data transmission
Manufacturer-authorised materials
Read the chapter
curonix.com
Curonix
Spinal cord stimulation · Peripheral nerve stimulation
SCS
PNS
Battery-free
Wireless, battery-free stimulation powered from outside the body.
- Freedom SCSWireless battery-free SCS
- Freedom PNSWireless battery-free PNS
Read the chapter

Category 02

DRG & Peripheral Nerve Stimulation

Systems that target a specific dorsal root ganglion or a named peripheral nerve, rather than the spinal cord itself.

neuromodulation.abbott
Abbott Neuromodulation
Spinal cord stimulation · DRG stimulation
SCS
DRG
BurstDR stimulation, and one of the two dorsal root ganglion platforms in the U.S.
- Proclaim PlusRecharge-free SCS
- Proclaim XRRecharge-free SCS
- EternaRechargeable SCS
Read the chapter
nalumed.com
Nalu Medical
Peripheral nerve stimulation · Spinal cord stimulation
PNS
SCS
Battery-free
A micro implant the size of a paperclip, powered by a wearable disc.
- Nalu Neurostimulation System — PNSBattery-free peripheral nerve stimulation
- Nalu Neurostimulation System — SCSBattery-free spinal cord stimulation
Read the chapter
curonix.com
Curonix
Spinal cord stimulation · Peripheral nerve stimulation
SCS
PNS
Battery-free
Wireless, battery-free stimulation powered from outside the body.
- Freedom SCSWireless battery-free SCS
- Freedom PNSWireless battery-free PNS
Read the chapter
sprtherapeutics.com
SPR Therapeutics
Temporary peripheral nerve stimulation
PNS
Temporary
A 60-day course of stimulation, then everything comes out.
- SPRINT enduraSingle-lead temporary PNS
- SPRINT extensaDual-lead temporary PNS
Read the chapter
bostonscientific.com
Boston Scientific Neuromodulation
Spinal cord stimulation · Peripheral nerve stimulation
SCS
PNS
Multiple waveforms in one device, including fast-acting sub-perception therapy.
- WaveWriter AlphaSCS — rechargeable and primary cell
- Spectra WaveWriterSCS — rechargeable
- Nalu SystemPNS — battery-free micro-IPG
Read the chapter

Category 03

Restorative Neurostimulation

A distinct category designed to activate muscle and facilitate recovery of neuromuscular control rather than stimulate the dorsal columns of the spinal cord.

mainstaymedical.com
Mainstay Medical
Restorative neurostimulation
Restorative
A therapy designed to activate the multifidus and facilitate recovery of neuromuscular control.
- ReActiv8Restorative neurostimulation
Manufacturer-authorised materials
Read the chapter

A note on how these are presented

These manufacturers are presented for education, not as a ranking or a list of devices offered by any particular practice. Each chapter describes what a system does and what its published evidence shows — including the trade-offs — rather than arguing for one over another.

Device names and trademarks are the property of their respective manufacturers. Regulatory status, indications and labeling change over time; the manufacturer's current Instructions for Use is always the authoritative source.

All Platforms

Every system covered on this site — 10 manufacturers

Listed alphabetically by category above; each chapter covers the signature technology, how it works, the platforms in the family, the published evidence, and the honest trade-offs.

neuromodulation.abbott
Abbott Neuromodulation
Spinal cord stimulation · DRG stimulation
SCS
DRG
BurstDR stimulation, and one of the two dorsal root ganglion platforms in the U.S.
- Proclaim PlusRecharge-free SCS
- Proclaim XRRecharge-free SCS
- EternaRechargeable SCS
Read the chapter
bostonscientific.com
Boston Scientific Neuromodulation
Spinal cord stimulation · Peripheral nerve stimulation
SCS
PNS
Multiple waveforms in one device, including fast-acting sub-perception therapy.
- WaveWriter AlphaSCS — rechargeable and primary cell
- Spectra WaveWriterSCS — rechargeable
- Nalu SystemPNS — battery-free micro-IPG
Read the chapter
medtronic.com
Medtronic
Spinal cord stimulation
SCS
Closed-loop
Closed-loop sensing with conditional full-body MRI access, plus the DTM waveform.
- InceptivClosed-loop rechargeable SCS
- Intellis ProRechargeable SCS
- VantaRecharge-free SCS
Manufacturer-authorised materials
Read the chapter
nevro.com
Nevro / Globus Medical
Spinal cord stimulation
SCS
10 kHz paresthesia-free stimulation, with indications in diabetic neuropathy and non-surgical back pain.
- Senza / HFX10 kHz SCS
- HFX iQAlgorithm-guided 10 kHz SCS
Read the chapter
saludamedical.com
Saluda Medical
Closed-loop spinal cord stimulation
SCS
Closed-loop
The first ECAP-controlled closed-loop system, adjusting on every pulse.
- EvokeECAP-controlled closed-loop SCS
Read the chapter
biotronik.com
BIOTRONIK Neuro
Spinal cord stimulation
SCS
Multiphase stimulation paired with automatic daily remote monitoring.
- Prospera SCS SystemMultiphase SCS with remote management
- Embrace OnePatient support and proactive care programme
- HomeStreamAutomatic data transmission
Manufacturer-authorised materials
Read the chapter
curonix.com
Curonix
Spinal cord stimulation · Peripheral nerve stimulation
SCS
PNS
Battery-free
Wireless, battery-free stimulation powered from outside the body.
- Freedom SCSWireless battery-free SCS
- Freedom PNSWireless battery-free PNS
Read the chapter
nalumed.com
Nalu Medical
Peripheral nerve stimulation · Spinal cord stimulation
PNS
SCS
Battery-free
A micro implant the size of a paperclip, powered by a wearable disc.
- Nalu Neurostimulation System — PNSBattery-free peripheral nerve stimulation
- Nalu Neurostimulation System — SCSBattery-free spinal cord stimulation
Read the chapter
sprtherapeutics.com
SPR Therapeutics
Temporary peripheral nerve stimulation
PNS
Temporary
A 60-day course of stimulation, then everything comes out.
- SPRINT enduraSingle-lead temporary PNS
- SPRINT extensaDual-lead temporary PNS
Read the chapter
mainstaymedical.com
Mainstay Medical
Restorative neurostimulation
Restorative
A therapy designed to activate the multifidus and facilitate recovery of neuromuscular control.
- ReActiv8Restorative neurostimulation
Manufacturer-authorised materials
Read the chapter

Device selection should be the last decision, not the first

The right conversation starts with your pain pattern, your imaging, your prior treatments and your goals. The technology follows from that.

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