Acumed Medical Ltd., a company with extensive operations in the Toronto community, is looking for full approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for new a device to treat chronic pain.

The device, Dolphin Neurostim, works on the principle of microcurrent point stimulation (MPS), which is a new approach to back pain treatment that uses bio-response technology. It's an alternative to treatments like acupuncture, and complements other forms of treatment.

Essentially, MPS applies small amounts of electric stimulation to areas around the lumbar region, as well as the hips and legs. This can aid in pain reduction by changing signals in the automatic nervous system.

In a press release, Acumed shows some of the clinical findings on MPS, describing a process in which those afflicted with back pain can find relief and healing from electrical stimulation.

Acumed leadership thinks further progress will bring new opportunities to those who are suffering from back pain.

“It's a different type of electrical stimulator than what's currently on the market,” Acumed Medical Device Specialist Ron Barranger told Toronto Business Daily. “You apply much lower levels of current.”

Barranger said the company has faced setbacks related to a green light from the FDA.

“The device itself was cleared by the FDA a couple of years ago,” Barranger said. 

He said that the company still found challenges related to advertising.

Nevertheless, when eventually cleared, this technology should enhance the use of electronic stimulation for back pain sufferers, Barranger said.

“This device is outperforming what's currently on the market,” Barranger said, contrasting the new MPS device to older devices using a “pad” stimulation method. “We have data on point stimulation and pad stimulation.”

A study cited by Acumed shows pain sufferers in a survey reported  average, a 62 per cent drop in pain after one MPS treatment. Researchers contended the study “demonstrates MPS provided significant functional changes beyond pain relief as outcomes increased over time.”