STC has provided electronic components for medical equipment used in the healthcare industry since its inception as a company in 1986. Since that time, we have expanded our product portfolio to include components for a increasingly diverse range of medical devices—from medical imaging equipment to medical beds to devices such as Peripheral Nerve Stimulators (PNS).

The PNS is used along with the delivery of anesthetic agents and is considered essential in measuring the patient’s neuromuscular state, thus allowing the administrator to appropriately administer the dosage of the relaxant being delivered. The clinical signs of neuromuscular recovery, such as the ability to lift the head, sustain a hand squeeze, and open the eyes cannot be elicited during the course of anesthesia alone. However, with the aid of a PNS, the patient’s neuromuscular state can be more easily evaluated by the stimulation of the nerve.[1]

Typically, the stimulator is superficially placed near the ulnar nerve, facial nerve, or the posterior tibial nerve. When the nerve is stimulated, the intensity of patient response, shown by the twitch of the thumb, indicates the degree of neuromuscular relaxation. Maintaining the proper degree of relaxation helps minimizes the risks in the postoperative period and maintains patient safety.

Through the years, the PNS has undergone several refinements which have led to new types of nerve stimulation such as cranial nerve stimulation and spinal nerve root stimulation.[2] Studies indicate that neuropathic pain responds well to nerve stimulation. The PNS works well in relatively new remedies for neuromodulation such as migraines, headaches, and even fibromylgia.[3]

The PNS has been successfully applied in clinical situations for chronic pain in extremities, neck, lower back, chest, abdominal wall, head, and face regions.[4]

Transformers used in PNS unitsWith electronic components, like those for the PNS, there are numerous factors to consider: stimulus frequency, electrode type, position and polarization, stimulus intensity, duration and waveform.

In the design of these electronic components, all of the above factors are addressed by our lead technical staff, the design process begins, and the components are made to customer specification.

All STC products are made in the USA at our ISO 9001:2008 registered plant in McLeansboro, IL. As with all components produced by STC, components made for medical equipment follow our rigid quality-control system and are 100-percent tested to ensure they meet both customer specifications and our own quality standards.


  1. Hudes Elliot MD and Lee, Kwok C. M ENG MD PH D. “Clinical Use of Peripheral Nerve Stimulators in Anaesthesia.” Canadian Journal of Anaesthesia September 1987: p. 525
  2. Stuart, RM and Winfree, CJ. “Neurostimulation Techniques for Painful Peripheral Nerve Disorders.” Department of Neurological Surgery – Columbia University Medical Center, New York 2009. PMID: 19064184 2009. Print.
  3. Slavin, KV. ” Peripheral Nerve Stimulation for Neuropathic Pain.” Department of Neurosurgery – University of Illinois at Chicago, 2008. PMID: 18164488. Print.
  4. Rasskazoff, SY and Slavin, KV. “An Update on Peripheral Nerve Stimulation.” Department of Neurosurgery – University of Illinois at Chicago, 2012. PMID: 23111288. Print