Nalu Medical launches smaller wearable device for chronic pain therapy

Nalu Medical launches small wearable for pain therapy: ©Pankaj - stock.adobe.com

Nalu Medical Inc. has introduced a next-generation version of its external wearable Therapy Disc, designed to power the company’s micro-implantable pulse generator for peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS).

The new device is 39% smaller in volume than its predecessor, making it lighter and more comfortable while maintaining the system’s benefits, the company announced. The redesign aims to improve the overall patient experience and potentially expand the number of people eligible for PNS treatment.

Unlike traditional neurostimulation systems that require fully implanted batteries, the Nalu System uses a small implanted generator powered wirelessly by the external disc. This approach avoids battery replacement surgeries, allows for a less invasive procedure, and provides flexibility for patients targeting nerves in sensitive or mobile areas of the body.

“This launch strengthens our ongoing mission to expand access and make peripheral nerve stimulation therapy a therapeutic option for a broader patient population,” said Tom West, CEO and president of Nalu Medical.

Physicians participating in the limited release of the new Therapy Disc said patients are reporting improved comfort and satisfaction. Eric G. Cornidez, managing partner and chief medical officer of the Pain Institute of Southern Arizona, said the smaller design enables doctors to target more nerve areas, particularly in the upper and lower extremities.

The Nalu System is supported by one of the largest clinical data sets in PNS, according to the company, including randomized control trials and real-world evidence.

Advances in peripheral nerve stimulation therapy

Peripheral nerve stimulation is rapidly evolving as a treatment option for patients living with chronic pain, with innovations focused on making therapy more effective, less invasive, and easier for patients to tolerate. Recent developments center on miniaturization of devices, wireless technology, and improved patient interfaces that reduce the burden of long-term therapy.

One of the most significant advances has been the shift away from fully implanted neurostimulation systems toward approaches that keep power sources external. By moving batteries outside the body, patients avoid additional surgeries for battery replacement, and physicians can perform less invasive implant procedures. This change also allows treatment in more anatomically challenging areas, where larger devices may not be practical.

Wireless powering technology and smaller implants are also creating opportunities to expand the use of PNS beyond traditional nerve targets. Physicians now have more flexibility to treat pain in both the upper and lower extremities, as well as in regions that were previously difficult to access due to size constraints.

At the same time, real-world clinical evidence is building a stronger foundation for PNS as a therapeutic option. Large-scale studies are providing data not only on effectiveness and safety, but also on health economics, demonstrating how these devices can reduce long-term costs by lowering the need for repeated surgeries and improving patient outcomes.

The overall trend in PNS reflects a broader shift in chronic pain management: moving away from reliance on medications alone and toward device-based therapies that can provide targeted, sustainable relief. With continuous refinement in design and clinical validation, peripheral nerve stimulation is emerging as a key component in the expanding toolkit for chronic pain care.