COSMIIC tSNIP: a painless, targeted nerve block for chronic knee pain

Who could benefit from this research

What this research studies

This project seeks to develop a patient-friendly device that uses light to selectively dampen pain signals from the nerves around the knee, with the goal of providing durable relief without affecting movement or sensation. Researchers will optimize the light delivery parameters and test how well the system blocks small-fiber pain signals in preclinical tissue studies, then design a human-grade implantable option. The work builds on an existing, safe platform that already works for electrical stimulation and sensing in people, adding a new optical component for pain relief. If successful, this approach could lead to a customizable, localized treatment for chronic knee pain that minimizes systemic side effects.

Why it matters

Where this research is happening

• Case Western Reserve University
  Cleveland, United States Active

Researchers

• Principal investigator: Moffitt, Michael — Case Western Reserve University
• Study coordinator: Moffitt, Michael

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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• Central pain sensitivity and its effect on nerve control of muscles in people with chronic knee pain or fibromyalgia

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  Recruiting The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston · Columbia, South Carolina and 2 other locations · NCT07179016

About this research

1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.