What is DBS?
Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) uses a small, surgically implanted device called a stimulator to send signals to a targeted area of your brain. The stimulation can improve your motor function by reducing symptoms such as tremor and rigidity. For many patients, DBS therapy can be life changing.
Replacing your battery
If you already have DBS therapy, you might notice a reduction in the effectiveness of your DBS treatment over time. The fact is batteries do not last forever and need to be replaced when they outlive their life cycle or effectiveness. The good news is battery replacement is not complicated and is done as an out-patient procedure. The leads in your brain remain intact; only the battery in your chest will be replaced.
Switch to Boston Scientific
If you are a DBS patient with another system and it's time to replace your battery, you may be able to upgrade to a Boston Scientific battery. Boston Scientific batteries (also referred to as stimulators or IPGs) are compatible with many systems.
68%
patients see an improvement in symptoms or reduction in side effects ¹
100%
patients switched without surgical complications or hardware malfunction ¹
91%
patients programmed using 2 or more contacts ¹
The Vercise™ Adapters are a battery conversion system designed by Boston Scientific for DBS patients with Medtronic® or Abbott® technology. Switching from an existing IPG to a Boston Scientific IPG has been shown to improve patient symptoms or reduce side effects without the need to change a patients’ current wiring.
DBS patient Matt Eagles shares his story on the impact of switching to a Boston Scientific battery.
Dr. Richard Bucholz talks about the importance of the right battery in DBS therapy.
Reasons to make the switch
1. Battery longevity
The DBS battery that gives you confidence in reliable technology.
2. Convenient recharging
With a simple remote while you relax.
3. Comfort²
The small DBS device is designed with smooth and gently rounded edges for comfort.
4. Image Guided Programming
84% of patients experienced lasting motor and quality of life improvements after being re-programmed using Image Guided Programming.³
5. Optimised therapy with MICC
MICC allows to control each contact independently, to achieve the widest possible therapeutic window and sustain patient’s quality of life⁴,⁵
6. Access the most therapy options*
Semi-bipolar and anodic stimulation capabilities are only available with Boston Scientific and are demonstrated to increase side effect threshold⁶,⁷ and improve efficacy.⁸
Resources for patients and physicians
*Information for competitive devices excerpted from literature published by Medtronic (M982261A015 Rev A, M017563C002 Rev A, M939241A051 Rev A, M927170A073 Rev A, M017562C002 Rev A) and Abbott (ARTEN600150429 - B, ARTEN600102238 - A) Schüpbach, Michael & Chabardes, Stephan & Matthies, Cordula & Pollo, Claudio & Steigerwald, Frank & Timmermann, Lars & Vandewalle, Veerle & Volkmann, Jens & Schuurman, P.. (2017). Directional leads for deep brain stimulation: Opportunities and challenges. Movement Disorders. 32. 10.1002/mds.27096.
1. Ojukwu, D. I., Wang, A. R., Hornbeck, T. S., Lim, E. A., Sharrard, J., Dhall, R., Buch, V. P., & Halpern, C. H. (2022). Conversion to Hybrid Deep Brain Stimulation System to Enable Multi-Contact Fractionation Can be Therapeutic. Movement Disorders, 37(6), 1321-1323. https://doi.org/10.1002/mds.29007
2. April 2020 – Footprint defined as volume + thickness. Data on file. at Boston Scientific Corporation. Compared to all EU commercially available DBS IPG's from 2010 onwards.
3. Torres V, 2024, npj Parkinson’s Disease https://doi.org/10.1038/s41531-024-00639-9
4. Timmermann L et. al. Multiple-source current steering in subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation for Parkinson’s disease (the VANTAGE study): a non-randomised, prospective, multicentre, open-label study. Lancet Neurol. 2015 Jul;14(7):693-701.
5. A. Rezaei Haddad, M. Samuel, N. Hulse, H. Y. Lin, and K. Ashkan, “Long-Term Efficacy of Constant Current Deep Brain Stimulation in Essential Tremor,” Neuromodulation, vol. 20, no. 5, pp. 437–443, 2017, doi: 10.1111/ner.12592.
6. Steffen, J. K., Reker, P., Mennicken, F. K., Dembek, T. A., Dafsari, H. S., Fink, G. R., Visser-Vandewalle, V., & Barbe, M. T. (2020). Bipolar Directional Deep Brain Stimulation in Essential and Parkinsonian Tremor. Neuromodulation: Technology at the Neural Interface, 23(4), 543–549. DOI: 10.1111/ner.13109
7. Reker, P., Dembek, T. A., Becker, J., Visser-Vandewalle, V., & Timmermann, L. (2016). Directional deep brain stimulation: A case of avoiding dysarthria with bipolar directional current steering. Parkinsonism & Related Disorders, 31, 156-158. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.parkreldis.2016.08.007
8. Kirsch, A. D., Hassin-Baer, S., Matthies, C., Volkmann, J., & Steigerwald, F. (2018). Anodic versus cathodic neurostimulation of the subthalamic nucleus: A randomized-controlled study of acute clinical effects. Parkinsonism & Related Disorders, 55, 61-67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.parkreldis.2018.05.015
Results from case studies are not necessarily predictive of results in other cases. Results in other cases may vary.
CAUTION: The law restricts these devices to sale by or on the order of a physician. Indications, contraindications, warnings, and instructions for use can be found in the product labelling supplied with each device or at www.IFU-BSCI.com. Products shown for INFORMATION purposes only and may not be approved or for sale in certain countries. This material not intended for use in France. 2024 Copyright © Boston Scientific Corporation or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
