Chronic pain affects millions worldwide, yet many patients still find traditional treatments inadequate. Nalu Medical, a California-based company specializing in neurostimulation systems, believes it has found a more sustainable solution. The company has unveiled its next-generation Therapy Disc, a smaller, lighter wearable device designed to deliver peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) without the complications of traditional implants.
The new Therapy Disc is 39 percent smaller than its predecessor, a refinement that Nalu says makes the device more discreet, more comfortable, and easier to integrate into daily life. Worn externally on the skin, the disc powers a tiny implantable pulse generator placed near targeted nerves. By sending low-level electrical pulses wirelessly to the implant, it interrupts pain signals before they reach the brain.
Unlike conventional implanted devices, which require batteries to be surgically replaced every few years, the Nalu system eliminates the need for internal batteries altogether. Instead, patients recharge the disc wirelessly. This design choice spares them from the cycle of repeat surgeries and reduces the long-term risks associated with invasive procedures.
Peripheral nerve stimulation has emerged as an increasingly important option for people whose pain has proven resistant to both medication and spinal cord stimulation. The Therapy Disc, positioned directly above the implant site, delivers targeted electrical pulses that can be tailored to individual patients and used in either the upper or lower extremities. In effect, the system expands the possibilities of neurostimulation while reducing the physical and psychological burden of treatment.
The Therapy Disc is not merely a design upgrade; it is a continuation of a system already cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for both peripheral nerve stimulation and spinal cord stimulation. Clinical evidence has been encouraging. In the COMFORT randomized controlled trial, Nalu reported that every patient responded to the therapy at six months, with participants seeing pain reduced by more than half. One-year follow-up data indicated the relief was durable and accompanied by meaningful improvements in daily function. Real-world use has echoed these results, suggesting not only clinical effectiveness but also cost savings for healthcare systems.
For patients, the practical benefits are clear. The device?s smaller form makes it easier to wear throughout the day, while its rechargeable design spares them the ordeal of additional surgeries. Physicians, meanwhile, can target a broader range of nerves, opening the door for more patients to be considered eligible for the therapy.
Feedback from Nalu?s limited release has been positive. Chief executive Tom West said the new device ?expands access? by offering a therapy that is easier to use and more acceptable to patients. The company expects the full rollout to follow in the coming months.
The launch comes at a time when pain management is undergoing a wider transformation. With the opioid crisis still reverberating across the United States, alternatives that offer meaningful relief without medication are in demand. Wearable devices such as the Therapy Disc are increasingly seen as part of this future, technologies that can be seamlessly integrated into daily routines while addressing chronic conditions in ways that are less invasive, less risky, and more sustainable.
Insurance coverage remains a key question for widespread adoption, though early signs are promising. CareFirst, one of the larger insurers in the U.S., already recognizes the device as medically necessary, a step that could encourage others to follow. If that happens, Nalu?s smaller, more discreet Therapy Disc may not just represent a refinement of its own system but a broader shift in how chronic intractable pain is treated.
For now, the Therapy Disc is in limited release, but its potential is considerable. By reducing the physical footprint of neurostimulation while maintaining clinical power, Nalu Medical has positioned itself at the forefront of pain management innovation, one where technology and patient comfort finally converge.
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