ARTICLE SUMMARY:
Early-stage SpineX is developing a new noninvasive spinal cord stimulation therapy. It began by helping patients paralyzed by spinal cord injury move, but in the process has ended up with a therapy positioned to address the large market for overactive bladder therapies.
To a person paralyzed by spinal cord injury, the inability to walk isn’t necessarily the worst thing they live with. Surprisingly, surveys have shown that the restoration of bladder control is one of the top two or three wishes for function recovery, above ambulation. Urinary incontinence is detrimental to stroke survivors as well. A year after the stroke, about 25% of victims continue to suffer the lack of bladder control, and incontinence or increased urination frequency are risk factors for depression, long-term disability, and increased mortality.
