NCAP Medical, Inc. was proud to exhibit at the 2025 American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Annual Meeting, where we showcased emerging scientific evidence from our ongoing NIH-funded, double-blind randomized study conducted at the University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC)..
Event information: https://www.asahq.org/
Our exhibit featured a comprehensive research overview, including:
Preliminary double-blind randomized and sham controlled results from the latest NIH-funded TKA outcomes trial
Findings from previous peer-reviewed studies evaluating neuro-capacitive pain modulation
On-site hands-on demonstrations allowing clinicians to evaluate placement, workflow, and usability directly
About the NIH-Funded Double-Blind Study
The ongoing study investigates a non-pharmacologic, neuro-capacitive adjunct for postoperative recovery following primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Unlike open-label or observational designs, this trial employs a double-blind, randomized sham controlled clinical trial framework, enhancing reliability, reducing bias, and improving interpretability of outcomes.
Primary and Secondary Endpoints
The study evaluates multiple clinically relevant recovery metrics:
Analgesia & Pain Trajectory
Pain intensity using validated numerical rating scales (NRS)
Temporal changes in pain trajectories across early postoperative days
Opioid Utilization
Total postoperative opioid consumption
Timing and pattern of breakthrough opioid use
Opioid-sparing effects of NeuroCuple® compared to sham/placebo
Hospital Length of Stay
Differences in inpatient days
Rate of early discharge or discharge-readiness markers
Functional Recovery Improvements
Early mobility assessments (gait initiation, ambulation distance)
Patient-reported functional metrics
Pattern and speed of return to baseline activity
Preliminary Findings Displayed at ASA 2025
Attendees were able to review early aggregated outcomes, which indicate:
Meaningful reductions in pain scores in specific treatment cohorts
Significantly Lower cumulative opioid requirements compared to blinded placebo control
Signals suggesting improved functional mobility in early recovery
Significantly shorter hospital stays, with several patients meeting discharge criteria earlier
High treatment compliance supporting robust data collection and statistical validity
While full results remain under analysis, these early indicators align with ongoing interest in drug-free, reusable, and workflow-compatible adjuncts to reduce postoperative pain burden while avoiding opioid use and related adverse effects.
Integration with Past Clinical Evidence
In addition to the new NIH-funded data, NCAP Medical showcased results from previously published investigations including randomized and prospective studies demonstrating:
Statistically significant pain reduction following knee replacement with NeuroCuple®
Reduced opioid exposure after surgery with NeuroCuple®
Positive patient-reported outcomes and high usability scores
- Significantly earlier discharge after surgery with NeuroCuple®
Displaying all datasets together allowed clinicians to examine the technology’s growing evidence base.
Hands-On Demonstration at the Exhibit Booth
A major point of engagement at ASA 2025 was the live demonstration area, where clinicians, anesthesiologists, clinicians, pain researchers, and perioperative teams could:
Observe device placement over common postoperative pain sites
Examine material properties and the neuro-capacitive interface
Understand perioperative workflow integration
Discuss potential applications in ambulatory surgery, acute pain, and enhanced recovery pathways
Attendee feedback emphasized enthusiasm for scalable, opioid-sparing, and non-invasive adjuncts capable of complementing multimodal analgesia.
Impact for Perioperative Medicine and Anesthesiology
This work directly intersects with ongoing priorities across anesthesiology and surgical medicine:
Reducing opioid reliance postoperatively while enhancing pain relief
Enhancing recovery after major orthopedic procedures
Supporting non-pharmacologic pathways that lower drug adverse-event risk
Improving patient comfort and functional outcomes
The double-blind NIH funded randomized clinical trial provides rigorous evidence and represents a significant step toward understanding the role of passive neuro-capacitive modulation in robust, evidence-based perioperative care.
Next Steps
NCAP Medical and the University of Pittsburgh research team are advancing toward:
Completion of full data analysis
Manuscript development for peer-reviewed publications
Expansion into additional orthopedic and perioperative studies
Development of opioid-sparing clinical protocols and translational implementation models
We thank the many clinicians, researchers, and leaders who engaged with us at ASA 2025 and contributed valuable insight into next steps for this important line of research.