How to charge your system

Using your SCS charging system

Living with your Spinal Cord Stimulation system not only means less pain, it means caring for your device on a routine basis. Charging your system is easy, follow the step-by-step instructions below and learn to safely use, handle and clean your charger.

Learn how to use your charger

1. Connecting the power supply

Plug the power supply into an outlet and connect it to the base station.

2. Charging your charger

Place the charger in the base station. When your charger is fully charged, the light will turn green.

3. Using your charging belt

Place the charger in the pouch of the charger belt and push the power button. Close the flap. Be sure the charger is facing outward.

Green light = fully charged

Amber light = partially charged

No light = a connection is loose

Person placing charger in the pouch of the black charger belt

To open, undo the hook-and-loop fasterner strap and pull through the belt loop.

Person undoing the hook-and-loop fastener strap

Wrap the charger belt around your waist and insert the strap back through the loop. Be sure the charger is directly over the stimulator.

Person closing charger belt strap around their waist

Pull the strap in the opposite direction and secure the hook-and-loop fastener.

If necessary, you can adjust the other side.

Person fastening charger belt around their waist

4. Locating the stimulator

The charger will beep continually as it searches for the stimulator. To locate the stimulator, place the charger over the implant area and move it around until the beeping stops.

Person adjusting charger position to find the stimulator

5. Checking your charge

Check the charger to ensure that it is centered over the stimulator as this will ensure the shortest charging time. The indicator light may turn amber. This is normal and you may continue charging. If the charger requires recharging, it will beep slowly regardless of stimulator alignment. Keep charging until you hear the Double Beep, indicating that the stimulator is fully charged. You can also check the stimulator battery indicator on the remote control to ensure that you have completely recharged your stimulator’s battery.

6. Powered up

When you are finished charging, remove the charging belt, and return your charger to the base station.

Important charging safety notes

When you are finished charging, remove the charging belt, and return your charger to the base station.

Do not charge while sleeping as this may result in a burn
Always use the charger belt or an adhesive patch to help avoid burning
If you experience pain or discomfort, stop charging and contact Boston Scientific

Storing and handling your SCS system

There are certain conditions or activities that may permanently damage your charger and its components. Follow the guidelines below and extend the life of your SCS charging system:

Do not expose your charging system to excessively hot or cold conditions as the sensitive electronics in the charger can be damaged by temperature extremes, particularly high heat
Do not leave your charger in your car or outdoors for extended periods of time
If you plan to store your charging system for an extended period, be careful that the storage temperature remains between -20–60 °C (-4–140 °F)
Handle the system with care and do not drop your charger
Other than for occasional cleaning (see below), avoid getting your charging system wet

Cleaning your charging system

Clean your SCS charging system using alcohol or a mild detergent applied with a cloth or tissue. Be sure to remove any residue from soapy detergents with a cloth lightly dampened with water. Do not use abrasive cleansers as they may damage your charger.

Get the charging guide

Download or print our easy-to-follow charging guide to reference at your convenience.

Download the Device Charging System Quick Start Guide

We're here to help

Our patient services team is here to support you throughout your SCS journey.

(866) 360-4747

Available 6 am to 5 pm PT, Monday through Friday

Indications for Use: The Boston Scientific Spinal Cord Stimulator Systems are indicated as an aid in the management of chronic intractable pain of the trunk and/or limbs including unilateral or bilateral pain associated with the following: failed back surgery syndrome, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) Types I and II, intractable low back pain and leg pain, Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy of the lower extremities. Associated conditions and etiologies may be: radicular pain syndrome, radiculopathies resulting in pain secondary to failed back syndrome or herniated disc, epidural fibrosis, degenerative disc disease (herniated disc pain refractory to conservative and surgical interventions), arachnoiditis, multiple back surgeries.

Contraindications. The Spinal Cord Stimulator Systems are not for patients who are unable to operate the system, have failed trial stimulation by failing to receive effective pain relief, are poor surgical candidates, or are pregnant.

Boston Scientific’s ImageReady™ MRI Technology makes safe MRI head scans possible. Patients implanted with the Precision Spectra™ or Spectra WaveWriter™ Spinal Cord Stimulator Systems with ImageReady™ MRI Technology are "MR Conditional" only when exposed to the MRI environment under the specific conditions defined in the applicable ImageReady™ MRI Head Only Guidelines for Precision Spectra™ or Spectra WaveWriter™ Spinal Cord Stimulator Systems.

Boston Scientific’s ImageReady™ MRI Full Body Technology makes safe MRI scans possible. The Precision Montage™ MRI, WaveWriter Alpha™ and WaveWriter Alpha™ Prime SCS Systems with ImageReady™ MRI Full Body Technology are “MR Conditional” only when exposed to the MRI environment under the specific conditions defined in the applicable ImageReady™ MRI Full Body Guidelines for Precision Montage™ MRI or WaveWriter Alpha™ and WaveWriter Alpha™ Prime Spinal Cord Stimulator Systems.

Warnings. Patients implanted with Boston Scientific Spinal Cord Stimulator systems without ImageReady™ MRI Technology should not be exposed to Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Exposure to MRI may result in dislodgement of the stimulator or leads, heating of the stimulator, severe damage to the stimulator electronics and an uncomfortable or jolting sensation. As a Spinal Cord Stimulation patient, you should not have diathermy as either a treatment for a medical condition or as part of a surgical procedure. Strong electromagnetic fields, such as power generators or theft detection systems, can potentially turn the stimulator off, or cause uncomfortable jolting stimulation. The system should not be charged while sleeping. The Spinal Cord Stimulator system may interfere with the operation of implanted sensing stimulators such as pacemakers or implanted cardiac defibrillators. Advise your physician that you have a Spinal Cord Stimulator before going through with other implantable device therapies so that medical decisions can be made and appropriate safety measures taken. Patients using therapy that generates paresthesia should not operate motorized vehicles such as automobiles or potentially dangerous machinery and equipment with the stimulation on. Stimulation must be turned off first in such cases. For therapy that does not generate paresthesia (i.e. subperception therapy) it is less likely that sudden stimulation changes resulting in distraction could occur while having stimulation on when operating moving vehicles, machinery, and equipment. Your doctor may be able to provide additional information on the Boston Scientific Spinal Cord Stimulator systems. For complete indications for use, contraindications, warnings, precautions, and side effects, call 866.360.4747 or visit Pain.com.

Caution: U.S. Federal law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician.

Spinal Cord Stimulator System Charging - Boston Scientific