The FDA just gave a green light to SPOC, a handheld device that found its start as a Stevens Institute of Technology science project. Developed to pinpoint the exact source of muscular pain, the system promises to help surgeons identify whether back pain originates within the bone or muscle tissue, effectively preventing unnecessary surgeries.
As far as the technology behind the functionality of the device, neither the press release nor the company page provide much information. The video provided by Stevens Institute of Technology suggests that an electric current is used to target individual muscles, and if aimed at a muscle that is the pain source, it should be obvious to the patient that that is the culprit.
Press release: SPOC pain-locator device, featured recently on “Today,” receives FDA 510(k)…
Company page: SPOC INC