Nanotechnology Medical Patches for Pain Relief: A Dedicated Treatment Pathway at Casa di Cura La Madonnina

“These are adhesive medical devices, hypoallergenic and water-resistant, approximately the size of a small coin and made using nanocrystals, also known as ‘quantum dots’: a technology that earned its inventors the 2023 Nobel Prize in Chemistry,” explains Dr Fasulo, who works both in the operating theatre and at the clinic’s Pain Medicine Centre.

They do not contain batteries, but they emit light. The nanocrystals they contain are activated by sunlight and body heat, then convert this energy into light emitted at the site of application, with varying intensity and wavelengths, ranging from the infrared to the visible spectrum depending on the specific patch model.

The emitted light is directed towards the tissues beneath the device through a mechanism comparable to forms of photobiomodulation, such as low-level laser therapy, but delivered continuously and without the use of medication.

Nanotechnology patches have a lifespan of approximately 3 years and do not release any medication or chemical substance into the body.

Areas of application

Nanotechnology medical patches are intended to support communication between the nervous system and peripheral receptors, providing complementary clinical support in the management of various physiological processes, including pain and inflammation, in situations such as:

• pain: for example, musculoskeletal pain including neck pain, low back pain, sciatica, tendinopathies, joint disorders and post-traumatic conditions, as well as certain types of headache;
• movement and postural disorders: as support within neuromuscular re-education, balance and postural rehabilitation programmes, including in chronic conditions such as Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis;
• sports medicine: certified as non-doping devices, these nanotechnology patches are used by many professional athletes with the aim of optimising performance, reducing joint overload and supporting physical recovery and recovery after injury;
• general well-being: the light emitted by these devices may have effects on relaxation, sleep quality, concentration and mood, and they may therefore also be considered as complementary support in programmes addressing issues in these areas.

Casa di Cura La Madonnina offers a dedicated Pain Management pathway that uses the potential of these devices. Here is how it is structured.

Initial specialist consultation

During the first specialist consultation, which lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, Dr Fasulo:

• carries out a detailed clinical assessment;
• takes the patient’s medical history and evaluates the type and intensity of the problem;
• defines the overall clinical picture and assesses whether nanotechnology patches may be applied during the consultation itself;
• explains how the devices are used, the expected benefits and possible alternatives to treatment with these devices.

Follow-up

The clinical pathway then continues with follow-up appointments and regular assessments, which are essential in order to:

• monitor the patient’s response to treatment;
• evaluate the effectiveness of the device over time;
• adjust the treatment, where necessary, according to changes in the patient’s clinical condition.

“These patches may provide support in the management of certain chronic and neurodegenerative conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and others, and in some cases may contribute to improving quality of life, with outcomes that vary from person to person and that may sometimes be functionally significant,” explains Dr Fasulo.

However, from both an ethical and scientific perspective, it is important to emphasise that these are not curative treatments or definitive therapies for conditions in which research is still ongoing and continually evolving.

Nanotechnology patches are also certified medical devices and should be used following consultation with a doctor or other qualified healthcare professional, as they need to be applied to specific points on the body and according to precise protocols and indications, which may vary during the initial phase and throughout the course of treatment.