IBM Research and Boston Scientific Corp. are harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) to create an objective pain measurement tool that could someday replace standard patient-reported pain scales in the assessment of chronic pain.

Longeviti Neuro Solutions LLC has received the U.S. FDA’s nod for use of its Clearfit cranial implant with postoperative ultrasound imaging. The expanded 510(k) clearance could help in reducing radiation exposure linked to other post-neurosurgical imaging modalities. Research has shown that current methods of post-neurosurgical imaging put patients at risk of radiation exposure, and that an estimated 29,000 future cancers could be linked to CT scan used in the U.S. each year. Comprised of polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA), Clearfit is a neuro-reconstructive implant that surgeons use to reconstruct a patient’s cranium following brain surgery.

Theranica Bioelectronics Ltd. has snagged an expanded clearance from the U.S. FDA for use of its smartphone-controlled Nerivio device to treat migraines in adolescents. The new indication, for acute treatment of episodic or chronic migraine in people 12 years and older, is supported by a study published last month in the journal Headache.

Brain Scientific Inc., a neurology-focused device and software company, is seeking to combine a miniaturized electroencephalogram (EEG) with subcutaneous graphene electrodes to produce a minimally invasive brain monitoring device that could provide continuous data on patients with neurological conditions. The device, which the New York-based company is calling the Brain E-Tattoo, would monitor brain wave activity outside the clinical setting, allowing for long-term continuous data collection without interrupting daily life.

Boston Scientific Corp. has received a thumbs up from the U.S. FDA for its fourth-generation Vercise Genus deep brain stimulation (DBS) system. The neuromodulation device, which comes in both rechargeable and nonrechargeable versions, is intended to treat the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Vercise Genus is indicated for use in the bilateral stimulation of subthalamic nucleus as an adjunctive therapy in alleviating some of the symptoms of moderate to advanced lepodova-responsive Parkinson’s disease that are not adequately controlled by medication. It also has indications for bilateral stimulation of the globus pallidus.

Medtronic plc is looking to increase market share in pain stimulation with its differential target multiplexed (DTM) therapy, a recharge-free device and its next big disrupter, evoked compound action potential (ECAP). The company is currently developing a closed-loop SCS system for chronic pain following failed back surgery based on ECAP and DTM algorithms.

HONG KONG – South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) has greenlighted Seoul-based Vuno Inc.’s artificial intelligence (AI)-based solution Vuno Med Deepbrain for use as a class III medical device, which is a classification for moderate risk level devices. The MFDS approval was given on Dec. 29, 2021, a Vuno spokesperson told BioWorld, but the company only disclosed the approval earlier in the week. The reasons for the delayed announcement were not disclosed.

Abbott Laboratories plans to launch its Neurosphere Mypath digital health app in the coming weeks, the latest addition to its Neurosphere Digital Care connected health management platform. The new app will enable chronic pain patients trying out Abbott neuromodulation therapies to track and report their pain relief.