Year-long dataset evaluating percutaneous disc augmentation technology shows the HYDRAFIL System improved back and leg pain and disability scores exceeding clinicalYear-long dataset evaluating percutaneous disc augmentation technology shows the HYDRAFIL System improved back and leg pain and disability scores exceeding clinical

Pain Physician Study Shows Percutaneous Hydrogel Implant for Chronic Low Back Pain Improves Patients’ Pain and Function

2026/01/22 20:16
4 min read

Year-long dataset evaluating percutaneous disc augmentation technology shows the HYDRAFIL System improved back and leg pain and disability scores exceeding clinical significance benchmarks at one-month post-procedure and maintained them through one-year follow-up

BALTIMORE–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#backpain—ReGelTec Inc., a company developing a percutaneous hydrogel implant for the treatment of chronic low back pain caused by degenerative disc disease, announced the publication of a journal article in Pain Physician demonstrating that its HYDRAFIL System for disc augmentation safely generated lasting clinically significant improvements in pain and disability scores in patients with chronic low back pain due to degenerative disc disease. The HYDRAFIL System is an outpatient procedure offering interventional pain physicians and patients a new treatment designed to reduce pain and improve daily function without the need for an invasive surgery.

The article, “Feasibility and Safety of Treatment of Painful Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease with an Injectable Hydrogel Implant at One Year Follow-up,” evaluated the safety and efficacy of the HYDRAFIL System in 60 chronic low back pain patients treated at either one- or two-disc levels across three clinical sites in Canada and Colombia. HYDRAFIL implants were successfully placed into all 83 intervertebral discs treated without complications during the procedure or at discharge. Statistically and clinically significant improvements in function, low back pain and low leg pain were observed within one-month post-procedure and maintained at 12 months follow-up. Scores in the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) improved by >80% and Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NRS) for Back Pain by >70% at one year.

“These peer-reviewed results represent an important milestone in the development of the first nucleus augmentation technology for degenerative disc disease,” said Dr. Douglas Beall, Chief of Radiology Services at Clinical Radiology of Oklahoma and a medical advisor to ReGelTec. “The improvements in pain and function observed at one year, along with an acceptable safety profile, support the continued evaluation of the HYDRAFIL System in the ongoing pivotal study designed to support FDA approval of the device for patients who currently have limited minimally invasive treatment options.”

More than one in 10 U.S. adults suffer from chronic low back pain.1 About 42% of this population, or more than 10 million Americans, has degenerative disc disease2, a condition that is the largest contributor to chronic low back pain where intervertebral discs in the spine deteriorate and lose their height and volume. Degenerating discs cause vertebrae to move abnormally and inflame surrounding spinal structures, muscles, joints and nerves, resulting in pain in the back and sometimes the leg.

Performed in an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia, ReGelTec’s HYDRAFIL System delivers a permanent hydrogel into a degenerated disc via a needle to fill cracks and fissures and recruit water into the disc to restore natural biomechanics and provide pain relief. When the hydrogel implant solidifies in the disc, it distributes the load and strain felt in that intervertebral segment to improve function and reduce the pain signaling to the brain.

“We are excited to be advancing an innovative approach with the potential to help the millions of patients suffering from degenerative disc disease,” said Peter Boyd, chief executive officer of ReGelTec. “This publication and the ongoing HYDRAFIL-D pivotal study currently enrolling patients in the U.S. and Canada reflect the company’s commitment to a disciplined, evidence-driven approach to generating data to support regulatory review of the HYDRAFIL System and the long term success of the product.”

ABOUT REGELTEC, INC.

ReGelTec is a clinical-stage privately held biomedical company dedicated to developing and commercializing a percutaneous hydrogel implant for the treatment of chronic low back pain due to degenerative disc disease. ReGelTec’s HYDRAFIL System is an outpatient disc augmentation procedure where a permanent hydrogel is delivered into a degenerated disc via a needle to fill cracks and fissures and recruit water into the disc to restore natural biomechanics and provide pain relief. For more information, please visit https://regeltec.com/.

1 Shmagel A, Foley R, Ibrahim H. Epidemiology of Chronic Low Back Pain in US Adults: Data From the 2009-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2016 Nov;68(11):1688-1694. doi: 10.1002/acr.22890. PMID: 26991822; PMCID: PMC5027174.

2 Michael J. DePalma, Jessica M. Ketchum, Thomas Saullo, What Is the Source of Chronic Low Back Pain and Does Age Play a Role?, Pain Medicine, Volume 12, Issue 2, February 2011, Pages 224–233, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1526-4637.2010.01045.x

Contacts

MEDIA CONTACT:
Sam Choinski

Pazanga Health Communications

(860) 301-5058

[email protected]

Disclaimer: The articles reposted on this site are sourced from public platforms and are provided for informational purposes only. They do not necessarily reflect the views of MEXC. All rights remain with the original authors. If you believe any content infringes on third-party rights, please contact [email protected] for removal. MEXC makes no guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the content and is not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided. The content does not constitute financial, legal, or other professional advice, nor should it be considered a recommendation or endorsement by MEXC.

You May Also Like

U.S. Moves Grip on Crypto Regulation Intensifies

U.S. Moves Grip on Crypto Regulation Intensifies

The post U.S. Moves Grip on Crypto Regulation Intensifies appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. The United States is contending with the intricacies of cryptocurrency regulation as newly enacted legislation stirs debate over centralized versus decentralized finance. The recent passage of the GENIUS Act under Bo Hines’ leadership is perceived to skew favor towards centralized entities, potentially disadvantaging decentralized innovations. Continue Reading:U.S. Moves Grip on Crypto Regulation Intensifies Source: https://en.bitcoinhaber.net/u-s-moves-grip-on-crypto-regulation-intensifies
Share
BitcoinEthereumNews2025/09/18 01:09
The Role of Blockchain in Building Safer Web3 Gaming Ecosystems

The Role of Blockchain in Building Safer Web3 Gaming Ecosystems

The gaming industry is in the midst of a historic shift, driven by the rise of Web3. Unlike traditional games, where developers and publishers control assets and dictate in-game economies, Web3 gaming empowers players with ownership and influence. Built on blockchain technology, these ecosystems are decentralized by design, enabling true digital asset ownership, transparent economies, and a future where players help shape the games they play. However, as Web3 gaming grows, security becomes a focal point. The range of security concerns, from hacking to asset theft to vulnerabilities in smart contracts, is a significant issue that will undermine or erode trust in this ecosystem, limiting or stopping adoption. Blockchain technology could be used to create security processes around secure, transparent, and fair Web3 gaming ecosystems. We will explore how security is increasing within gaming ecosystems, which challenges are being overcome, and what the future of security looks like. Why is Security Important in Web3 Gaming? Web3 gaming differs from traditional gaming in that players engage with both the game and assets with real value attached. Players own in-game assets that exist as tokens or NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens), and can trade and sell them. These game assets usually represent significant financial value, meaning security failure could represent real monetary loss. In essence, without security, the promises of owning “something” in Web3, decentralized economies within games, and all that comes with the term “fair” gameplay can easily be eroded by fraud, hacking, and exploitation. This is precisely why the uniqueness of blockchain should be emphasized in securing Web3 gaming. How Blockchain Ensures Security in Web3 Gaming?
  1. Immutable Ownership of Assets Blockchain records can be manipulated by anyone. If a player owns a sword, skin, or plot of land as an NFT, it is verifiably in their ownership, and it cannot be altered or deleted by the developer or even hacked. This has created a proven track record of ownership, providing control back to the players, unlike any centralised gaming platform where assets can be revoked.
  2. Decentralized Infrastructure Blockchain networks also have a distributed architecture where game data is stored in a worldwide network of nodes, making them much less susceptible to centralised points of failure and attacks. This decentralised approach makes it exponentially more difficult to hijack systems or even shut off the game’s economy.
  3. Secure Transactions with Cryptography Whether a player buys an NFT or trades their in-game tokens for other items or tokens, the transactions are enforced by cryptographic algorithms, ensuring secure, verifiable, and irreversible transactions and eliminating the risks of double-spending or fraudulent trades.
  4. Smart Contract Automation Smart contracts automate the enforcement of game rules and players’ economic exchanges for the developer, eliminating the need for intermediaries or middlemen, and trust for the developer. For example, if a player completes a quest that promises a reward, the smart contract will execute and distribute what was promised.
  5. Anti-Cheating and Fair Gameplay The naturally transparent nature of blockchain makes it extremely simple for anyone to examine a specific instance of gameplay and verify the economic outcomes from that play. Furthermore, multi-player games that enforce smart contracts on things like loot sharing or win sharing can automate and measure trustlessness and avoid cheating, manipulations, and fraud by developers.
  6. Cross-Platform Security Many Web3 games feature asset interoperability across platforms. This interoperability is made viable by blockchain, which guarantees ownership is maintained whenever assets transition from one game or marketplace to another, thereby offering protection to players who rely on transfers for security against fraud. Key Security Dangers in Web3 Gaming Although blockchain provides sound first principles of security, the Web3 gaming ecosystem is susceptible to threats. Some of the most serious threats include:
Smart Contract Vulnerabilities: Smart contracts that are poorly written or lack auditing will leave openings for exploitation and thereby result in asset loss. Phishing Attacks: Unintentionally exposing or revealing private keys or signing transactions that are not possible to reverse, under the assumption they were genuine transaction requests. Bridge Hacks: Cross-chain bridges, which allow players to move their assets between their respective blockchains, continually face hacks, requiring vigilance from players and developers. Scams and Rug Pulls: Rug pulls occur when a game project raises money and leaves, leaving player assets worthless. Regulatory Ambiguity: Global regulations remain unclear; risks exist for players and developers alike. While blockchain alone won’t resolve every issue, it remediates the responsibility of the first principles, more so when joined by processes such as auditing, education, and the right governance, which can improve their contribution to the security landscapes in game ecosystems. Real Life Examples of Blockchain Security in Web3 Gaming Axie Infinity (Ronin Hack): The Axie Infinity game and several projects suffered one of the biggest hacks thus far on its Ronin bridge; however, it demonstrated the effectiveness of multi-sig security and the effective utilization of decentralization. The industry benefited through learning and reflection, thus, as projects have implemented changes to reduce the risks of future hacks or misappropriation. Immutable X: This Ethereum scaling solution aims to ensure secure NFT transactions for gaming, allowing players to trade an asset without the burden of exorbitant fees and fears of being a victim of fraud. Enjin: Enjin is providing a trusted infrastructure for Web3 games, offering secure NFT creation and transfer while reiterating that ownership and an asset securely belong to the player. These examples indubitably illustrate that despite challenges to overcome, blockchain remains the foundational layer on which to build more secure Web3 gaming environments. Benefits of Blockchain Security for Players and Developers For Players: Confidence in true ownership of assets Transparency in in-game economies Protection against nefarious trades/scams For Developers: More trust between players and the platform Less reliance on centralized infrastructure Ability to attract wealth and players based on provable fairness By incorporating blockchain security within the mechanics of game design, developers can create and enforce resilient ecosystems where players feel reassured in investing time, money, and ownership within virtual worlds. The Future of Secure Web3 Gaming Ecosystems As the wisdom of blockchain technology and industry knowledge improves, the future for secure Web3 gaming looks bright. New growing trends include: Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs): A new wave of protocols that enable private transactions and secure smart contracts while managing user privacy with an element of transparency. Decentralized Identity Solutions (DID): Helping players control their identities and decrease account theft risks. AI-Enhanced Security: Identifying irregularities in user interactions by sampling pattern anomalies to avert hacks and fraud by time-stamping critical events. Interoperable Security Standards: Allowing secured and seamless asset transfers across blockchains and games. With these innovations, blockchain will not only secure gaming assets but also enhance the overall trust and longevity of Web3 gaming ecosystems. Conclusion Blockchain is more than a buzzword in Web3; it is the only way to host security, fairness, and transparency. With blockchain, players confirm immutable ownership of digital assets, there is a decentralized infrastructure, and finally, it supports smart contracts to automate code that protects players and developers from the challenges of digital economies. The threats, vulnerabilities, and scams that come from smart contracts still persist, but the industry is maturing with better security practices, cross-chain solutions, and increased formal cryptographic tools. In the coming years, blockchain will remain the base to digital economies and drive Web3 gaming environments that allow players to safely own, trade, and enjoy their digital experiences free from fraud and exploitation. While blockchain and gaming alone entertain, we will usher in an era of secure digital worlds where trust complements innovation. The Role of Blockchain in Building Safer Web3 Gaming Ecosystems was originally published in Coinmonks on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story
Share
Medium2025/09/18 14:40
Why your phone number shows as private and how to remove it

Why your phone number shows as private and how to remove it

Table of contents How to remove private number on your Android How to remove private number on your iPhone (iOS) What to do if your number still shows as Private
Share
Techcabal2026/02/07 00:23