Spinal Cord StimulationImproving Spinal Cord Stimulation With ECAPS

Participants with chronic pain scheduled to undergo externalized trial for assessment of spinal cord stimulation will undergo intraoperative stimulation and up to three postoperative visits where already externalized electrodes (used clinically for stimulation) will be used to record and stimulate using evoked complex action potentials (ECAPs) while also measuring other electrophysiological responses.

Intraoperatively, stimulation at 12 Hz will be performed as the leads are moved into the targeted position. Amplitude will be increased to 15 mA maximum total until a response is seen on any electrode and held for 10 seconds. Stimulation and recording will be performed using the Neuralynx stim/record system.

Post-operatively, the electrodes will be tested for impedance by the clinical system and then they will be connected to the Neuralynx stim/record system. Electrode stimulation patterns will be applied with increasing amplitude until ECAPs responses are seen on recording electrodes. 42 Hz stimulation will be performed with an amplitude sweep of 0mA-10mA. At each amplitude, stimulation will be applied for 4 seconds followed by 2 seconds of rest. Pulse width will be varied from 30-450 microseconds to test effective amplitude. Bursting stimulation will be applied to detect differences in ECAPs as above.