KitoTech Medical, based in Seattle, is dedicated to developing innovative cost saving products to treat unmet healthcare needs. The company’s new product PainPause is a drug-free patch designed to treat a broad range of painful musculoskeletal disorders such as back and knee pain. It is an FDA-registered Class 2 exempt medical device.

​The PainPause Story

PainPause emerged from KitoTech’s core micro-point technology, which was initially used to develop its marketed microMend® wound closure product. One of our colleagues, an orthopedic surgeon with chronic back pain, discovered that this same device could be used to relieve pain. This led to the development of PainPause, which is an identical device to microMend but used to treat pain. PainPause has shown significant effectiveness in treating many types of pain throughout the body. It is remarkably effective in treating both chronic and severe pain.

The PainPause Product

PainPause is drug-free and sold as a non-prescription, OTC consumer product. It is a small device which is the size of a Band-Aid® making it convenient to wear for extended periods of time. It consists of tiny micro-points in an array that are attached to an adhesive backing making it easy to apply like a bandage. The micro-points are responsible for its pain-relieving effects. They also provide secure attachment of PainPause to the skin for up to a week to achieve long-lasting pain relief. In contrast, other over-the-counter (OTC) products like pills, patches, ointments, gels, and creams contain potentially harmful chemicals and medications, are not powerful enough to treat severe pain, and only provide temporary pain relief for a few hours.

PainPause can be used to treat pain due to musculoskeletal disorders that occur just about anywhere in the body. It is able to effectively treat mild to moderate pain, but also severe pain that is difficult  to treat with other consumer products.  

PainPause works by a unique neurological mechanism to provide pain relief. It harnesses the body’s own natural pain-relieving abilities right at their source in the body. When the patch is applied, its micro-points penetrate the skin surface where they activate nerves that transmit signals that shut down pain. PainPause creates mild irritation on the skin referred to as counter-irritation which also activates the nerves that shut down pain. Finally, PainPause is also believed to stimulate the body’s production of pain-relieving chemicals which reduce pain.

PainPause is protected by strong intellectual property including a recently issued U.S. patent (US Patent no. 11,986,613).

PainPause is registered as Class 2 510(k)-exempt medical device with the FDA and will be available for sale in the United States in October 2024.

The Market

Most OTC consumer products are only able to provide modest pain relief that lasts for a few hours leaving millions of pain sufferers without effective and longer-term treatment options. PainPause thus addresses a large  population that encompasses tens of millions of Americans including over 60 million with chronic pain.

PainPause’s long-lasting pain relief makes it ideal for treating people with longer bouts of pain whether it is for several days to weeks or years. Its powerful therapeutic effects make it effective in treating severe pain whether due to an acute injury or a chronic condition. PainPause has been shown to provide relief in people with a broad range of painful conditions, including back pain and sciatica, neck pain, knee pain, hip pain, shoulder pain, muscle spasms, tendinitis, soft tissue injuries, plantar fasciitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, and golfer's elbow.

PainPause offers a non-drug, long-lasting solution for people who do not have a safe and convenient option for treating their pain.