Temporary peripheral nerve stimulation
SPR Therapeutics
SPRINT PNS is fundamentally different from every other system on this page: it is not a permanent implant. A fine percutaneous lead is placed without surgery, stimulation is delivered for up to 60 days, and then the lead is removed. The therapeutic premise is that the treatment period itself produces relief that outlasts it.
At a glance
- Therapy duration
- Up to 60 days
- Permanent implant
- None — fully removed
- Placement
- Percutaneous, outpatient, no anesthesia required
- Configurations
- Single lead (endura) and dual lead (extensa)
A 60-day course of stimulation, then everything comes out.
The Signature Technology
Temporary stimulation and peripherally induced reconditioning
The proposed mechanism is not ongoing masking of pain signals — since the device is removed at the end of therapy, there is nothing left to mask with. Instead, activation of sensory fibres such as muscle proprioceptive afferents is thought to drive changes at spinal and supraspinal levels, effectively 'reconditioning' the central nervous system during the 60-day course. This framework was published by Deer and colleagues as peripherally induced reconditioning of the central nervous system.
How It Works
From lead placement to therapy delivery
- 01
The MicroLead — a fine, flexible coiled wire — is placed percutaneously in an outpatient setting. There is no surgery, no incision, no tissue destruction and no anesthesia required.
- 02
A small external pulse generator worn on the skin delivers stimulation for up to 60 days.
- 03
At the end of the treatment period all components are removed. Nothing remains implanted.
The Platforms
2 systems in the family
Each system in this family is built on the same underlying technology, but they differ in power source, size and intended use.
SPRINT endura
Single-lead temporary PNS
The single-lead configuration of the percutaneous 60-day system.
- Up to 60 days of therapy
- Percutaneous placement, no surgery
- Fully removed at completion
SPRINT extensa
Dual-lead temporary PNS
The dual-lead configuration, allowing two targets to be treated within the same course.
- Two leads in one system
- Up to 60 days of therapy
- Fully removed at completion
The Evidence
What has been published
Each study is given with its design, who was actually in it, what it found and where it falls short — then a link to the paper itself, so you can check any of it. Most device trials are manufacturer-funded; that is normal in this field and it is labelled here rather than glossed over.
Post-amputation pain
In a federally funded study in chronic post-amputation pain, two thirds of patients had pain reductions of at least 50% after eight weeks, and four of five reported relief at 12 months. The SNAP trial is the randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled confirmatory study in that population.
Chronic axial back pain — four years
Four-year follow-up from a multicentre study of medial branch nerve stimulation reported that of 22 patients treated for 60 days, 15 reported clinically meaningful outcomes — the durability finding that underpins the short-course rationale.
Real-world safety
An expanded clearance was supported in part by real-world safety data collected from more than 5,500 commercially treated patients.
These are the studies specific to SPR Therapeutics. For the trials that shaped the whole field — and for how to read an industry-sponsored study fairly — see the clinical evidence library.
The Trade-offs
What to weigh before choosing this platform
No system is the right answer for every patient. These are considerations to discuss with the clinician who knows your history.
Because nothing is left implanted, the risk profile and the decision itself are quite different from a permanent implant — for many patients this is the lowest-commitment option in neuromodulation.
The indication is for up to 60 days in the back and/or extremities. It is not intended to be placed in the region innervated by the cranial and facial nerves.
Not every patient retains benefit after removal, and a course can be repeated only within labeled use.
Regulatory status
SPRINT endura and extensa are FDA 510(k) cleared for up to 60 days for symptomatic relief of chronic intractable pain, post-surgical and post-traumatic acute pain, post-traumatic pain, and post-operative pain.
Indications, contraindications, warnings and MRI conditions are defined by the current labeling. Review the manufacturer's Instructions for Use at sprtherapeutics.com and discuss them with your physician.
Wondering whether this therapy fits your situation?
Explore how candidacy is assessed, then discuss your pain pattern, imaging and prior treatments with a clinician. Device selection comes later.