SBIR-STTR Award

Selective application of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) for pain control holds promise in the area of dental anesthesia application of a novel carbon fiber electrode with a sophisticated yet simple control unit, will lead to affective pain control in dental applications. Mechanical and adhesive electrode attachment techniques will be investigated. A new polyacrylamide/silicone pressure sensitive, water actuated adhesive will be investigated. Electrical wave forms and impedence levels will be reviewed, and the most effective levels identified. Limited clinical studies will confirm the effectiveness of the mechanical and electrical parameter for pain control. Working models will be produced.

Application of Electronic Nerve Stimulation for pain control (electroanesthesia) is a promising technique. Study of this technique for dental anesthesia is now possible due to hardware developed during Phase I SBIR contract damd17-84-c-4030. Application of the electrode attachment hardware and electric current generation hardware to clinical studies will prove the effectiveness of electroanesthesia in dental applications. The hardware design will be improved and finalized during this Phase II research. Common dental procedures requiring anesthesia will be studies and the effectiveness of the electroanesthesia determined. The most effective location and mode of electrode attachment will be established as will the most effective electrical parameters. Improvements in the hardware will be made as necessary, based upon the outcome of the clinical studies.