• Johnson S Ho, Cynthia Poon, Richard North, William Grubb, Scott Lempka, and Marom Bikson.
• Department of Anesthesiology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA. Electronic address: johnsonpaindoc@gmail.com.
• Neuromodulation. 2024 Aug 1; 27 (6): 102010251020-1025.

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to present key technologic and regulatory milestones in spinal cord stimulation (SCS) for managing chronic pain on a narrative timeline with visual representation, relying on original sources to the extent possible.Materials And MethodsWe identified technical advances in SCS that facilitated and enhanced treatment on the basis of scientific publications and approvals from the United States (US) Food and Drug Administration (FDA). We presented milestones limited to first use in key indications and in the context of new technology validation. We focused primarily on pain management, but other indications (eg, motor disorder in multiple sclerosis) were included when they affected technology development.ResultsWe developed a comprehensive visual and narrative timeline of SCS technology and US FDA milestones. Since its conception in the 1960s, the science and technology of SCS neuromodulation have continuously evolved. Advances span lead design (from paddle-type to percutaneous, and increased electrode contacts) and stimulator technology (from wireless power to internally powered and rechargeable, with miniaturized components, and programmable multichannel devices), with expanding stimulation program flexibility (such as burst and kilohertz stimulation frequencies), as well as usage features (such as remote programming and magnetic resonance imaging conditional compatibility).ConclusionsThis timeline represents the evolution of SCS technology alongside expanding FDA-approved indications for use.Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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