Physicians at Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center https://wexnermedical.osu.edu are purchasing and using new technologies to help patients withdraw from opioids. The medical center recently purchased the NSS-2 BRIDGE device from the Indiana-based medical technology firm Innovative Health Solutions, Inc. (IHS). The BRIDGE a percutaneous nerve-field stimulator helps reduce symptoms of opioid withdrawal.
Physicians place the BRIDGE, a small electrical nerve stimulator behind a patient’s ear. Then micro needle arrays send gentle electrical impulses to areas of the brain and branches of the nerves leading into the spinal cord. Research studies show that by using the technology there is an 84.6 percent reduction of withdrawal symptoms from opioids in as little as 60 minutes.
To permit marketing of this device for use, FDA reviewed data from a clinical study of 73 patients undergoing opioid physical withdrawal. The study evaluated the patient’s Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale performed by a healthcare professional measuring opioid withdrawal symptoms.
The Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale scores range from 0 to more than 36. The higher the number indicates the more severe the withdrawal symptoms are to a patient. Overall, 6 of the 73 patients transitioned to medication assisted therapy after five days after using the device.
NSS-2 BRIDGE is being used at Inspire Malibu www.InspireMalibu.com, an innovative addiction treatment center located in Agoura Hills California. According to Dr. Akikur Reza Mohammad, Founder and CEO of Inspire Malibu,” The NSS-2 Bridge device shows promise as a breakthrough treatment for reducing or eliminating opiate withdrawal symptoms without the use of habit forming medications.”