PATHWAY CHEPS (Contact Heat-Evoked Potential Stimulator) is an advanced thermal stimulator for pain evoked-potential equipped with functional MRI (fMRI) capabilities.

Used together with EEG recording systems, CHEPS documents objective response to pain perception by investigating human thermal and nociceptive pathways that mediate sensory and pain perception. This is achieved via selective stimulation and identification of A-Delta & C-fibers through EEG signal waveform recording.

Technological breakthrough

PATHWAY CHEPS deploys an extremely rapid heating rate of 70°C/sec and cooling rate of 40°C/sec , to deliver pain stimuli within temperature range of 30°C to 55°C in less than 300 milliseconds.

This rapid heating is possible due to Medoc’s new 27mm diameter thermode and thermal stimulator which enable testing large skin areas to reach greater receptor fields.

The CHEPS system is equipped with heat-foil technology, combined with solid-state thermoelectric cooler (Peltier elements), as well as powerful temperature controlled algorithms.

PATHWAY CHEPS is also available in an fMRI conditional configuration. CHEPS Thermode can be used to deliver thermal stimuli inside fMRI scanners. By using a special fMRI filter, the PATHWAY system ensures accurate stimulation and reduced imaging artifacts.

CHEPS Features

• Specially developed software enabling test signals to be delivered online, recorded (via EEG), saved and exported for further data analysis
• Built with sophisticated hardware and software for better temperature control, ease of use and powerful performance
• Specific fast oscillation protocols for windup
• Unique protocols for selective stimulation of A-Delta & C fibers
• fMRI-conditional (optional)
• Cold Evoked Potentials (CEPs) – Recording of reliable Cold Evoked Potentials (CEPs) is available using extended software capabilities allowing to reach the destination temp. as low as 20˚C. CEPs is used as an objective, non-invasive and painless tool for the assessment of A-delta fiber integrity. 
• Full synchronization at stimuli start, end and /or peak temperature, with EEG or MRI (via TTL output)
• Flexible control of protocol parameters (baseline, peak temp, peak-to-peak intervals, warning signal) Versatile WINDOWS™ based software with flexible selection range of test paradigms for clinical, research and drug trial requirements. Software meets hospital requirements for maximum data security and remote access for online service
• Quick setup and system initialization
• Modular design for easy upgrade
• Mobile

Useful in monitoring, treating and testing in:

• Objective pain response to medications and treatments
• fMRI applications with long and strong sensation evoked to increase activation of brain regions responsible for A-Delta or C-Fibers
• Potential new “surrogate marker” to prioritize new and existing compounds to reduce time-to-market in pharmaceutical development
• Various phases of Clinical trials for new drug development – from basic level ‘proof of concept’ to full Phase III studies

The PATHWAY model ATS is an advanced Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST) stimulator for evaluating nerve impairment in clinical, research and pharmacological trials
The ATS takes QST to a new level, delivering painful and non-painful stimuli at a temperature range of 0ºC to 55ºC (expandable to -10ºC to 55ºC) with heating and cooling rate of up to 8ºC/sec. This opens new research opportunities in deep cold and heat pain studies.
The PATHWAY model ATS is available with 30x30mm and 16x16mm ATS Thermal Stimulator Probes (“Thermodes”).

PATHWAY model ATS is available as a complete mobile system on a uniquely designed clinical cart, containing electronic base unit, heavy-duty integrated cooling unit, analog output, TTL input & output, Digital Calibration Kit and PATHWAY model ATS – Advanced Thermal Stimulation Software.

PATHWAY ATS Thermodes are also available in anfMRI conditional configuration. ATS Thermodes can be used to deliver thermal stimuli inside fMRI scanners. By using a special fMRI filter, the PATHWAY system ensures accurate stimulation and reduced imaging artifacts.

ATS Features

• Increased temperature range (-10ºC-55ºC) on selected models
• Large (30x30mm / 16x16mm) thermode / thermal stimulator for testing large skin areas to reach greater receptor fields
• Outcome-based color graphic reports with automated narrative discussion of test results for insurance and referral networks
• Automatic comparison of test results to normative reference data
• fMRI-conditional (optional)
• Versatile WINDOWS™ based software with a flexible selection range of test paradigms for clinical, research and drug trial requirements. Software meets hospital requirements for maximum data security and remote access for online service
• Fast setup, easy-to-use
• Modular design for easy upgrade
• Mobile

Useful in monitoring, treating and testing in:

• Nerve root compression and inflammation
• Small-fiber allodynia in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
• Central Nervous System impairment in difficult-to-diagnose patients
• Early detection of diabetic neuropathy of small-caliber nerve fibers
• Effectiveness of growth factors, aldosereductase inhibitors and other new therapies.
• Entrapment and toxic neuropathies
• Testing programs to detect malingerers.

PATHWAY Brochure