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Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) device support

Charging your device

Powering up your treatment

At Boston Scientific, we have DBS options to fit your life. The Vercise Genus™ R16 has a 15-year battery life and requires recharging approximately every one to two weeks, while the Vercise Genus™ P16 has a non-rechargeable battery that lasts 3-5 years.

If you have the Vercise Genus R16 system, recharging your system is easy via our wireless charging system. Every few weeks, place the lightweight, wireless charging collar over your shoulders and relax—you can do it in front of the TV or while reading a book. Depending on your therapy settings, you may be able to go up to a month without recharging. Your remote will indicate how much life is left in your battery and when it’s time to recharge.1

Boston Scientific remote indicating how much life is left in the battery

Battery replacement

Batteries do not last forever; they need to be replaced when they outlive their expected life cycle. Battery replacement isn’t complicated, but it requires an outpatient procedure. The leads in your brain remain intact; only the battery in your chest will be replaced. 

Older man smiling and holding his granddaughter

Upgrading to Boston Scientific

If you’re a DBS patient with a Medtronic 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 Medtronic systems. In a study of 50 adult PD and ET patients who switched to a hybrid DBS system with a Boston Scientific IPG, all were successfully done with no complications (e.g., infections, reoperation, hardware malfunctions) or complications related to reprogramming. Moreover, there were no adverse effect (e.g., unexpected pain, cosmetic deformity, infection, hematoma, wound erosion) in any patient following switching. Approximately 68% of patients improved in at least one symptom or adverse event at their first postoperative visit.2 Battery replacement is an outpatient procedure and only the battery in your chest will be replaced—not the leads in your brain. 

See why Bill made the switch

We’re here to help

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

(833) 327-1473

Available 5 am to 5 pm PT, Monday through Friday 

References: 

1. Yu X. Steinke K, Mustakos R. Characterizing rechargeable IPG charge cycle time in DBS. Presented at: North American Neuromodulation Society (NANS 2013)

2. Ojukwu, Disep I., Allan R. Wang, Traci S. Hornbeck, Erika A. Lim, Jennifer Sharrard, Rohit Dhall, Vivek P. Buch, and Casey Halpern. “Conversion to Hybrid Deep Brain Stimulation System to Enable Multi-Contact Fractionation Can Be Therapeutic.” Movement Disorders, 2022. 

* The battery life is dependent on the stimulation settings and conditions.

MRI conditional symbol.

The Vercise Genus™ DBS System, Vercise Genus Mixed System with M8 Adapter, Vercise Gevia™ DBS System, and Vercise™ DBS Lead-only system (before Stimulator is implanted) provide safe access to full-body MRI scans when used with specific components and the patient is exposed to the MRI environment under specific conditions defined in the supplemental manual ImageReady™ MRI Guidelines for Boston Scientific DBS Systems.

US Indication for Use: The Boston Scientific Vercise™ PC, Vercise Gevia™, Vercise Genus™ Deep Brain Stimulation Systems are indicated for use in:

  • Bilateral stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) as an adjunctive therapy in reducing some of the symptoms of moderate to advanced levodopa-responsive Parkinson’s disease (PD) that are not adequately controlled with medication.
  • Bilateral stimulation of the internal globus pallidus (GPi) as an adjunctive therapy in reducing some of the symptoms of advanced levodopa-responsive Parkinson’s disease (PD) that are not adequately controlled with medication.
  • Unilateral thalamic stimulation of the ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM) is indicated for the suppression of tremor in the upper extremity. The system is intended for use in patients who are diagnosed with essential tremor or parkinsonian tremor not adequately controlled by medications and where the tremor constitutes a significant functional disability. 

The Boston Scientific Vercise Deep Brain Stimulation System is indicated for use in:

  • Bilateral stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) as an adjunctive therapy in reducing some of the symptoms of moderate to advanced levodopa-responsive Parkinson’s disease (PD) that are not adequately controlled with medication.

Contraindications: The Boston Scientific Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Systems are not recommended for patients who will be exposed to the following procedures: Diathermy as either a treatment for a medical condition or as part of a surgical procedure, Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).  The safety of these therapies in patients implanted with the Boston Scientific DBS System has not been established.  Patients implanted with Boston Scientific DBS Systems without ImageReady™ MRI Technology should not be exposed to Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Patients implanted with the Vercise Gevia or Vercise Genus or Vercise Genus Mixed System with M8 Adapter or Vercise DBS Lead-Only System (before Stimulator is implanted) with ImageReady MRI Technology are Full Body MR Conditional only when exposed to the MRI environment under the specific conditions defined in ImageReady MRI Guidelines for Boston Scientific DBS Systems.  Boston Scientific DBS Systems are not recommended for patients who are unable to operate the system or are poor surgical candidates or who experience unsuccessful test stimulation. 

Warnings: Unauthorized modification to the medical devices is prohibited.  You should not be exposed to high stimulation levels.  High level of stimulation may damage brain tissue.  Patients implanted with a Boston Scientific DBS System may be at risk for intracranial hemorrhages (bleeding in the brain) during DBS lead placement.   Strong electromagnetic fields, such as power generators, security screeners or theft detection systems, can potentially turn the stimulator off, or cause unpredictable changes in stimulation. The system should not be charged while sleeping.  If you notice new onset or worsening depression, changes in mood or behavior or impulse control, or have thoughts of suicide contact your physician or emergency services immediately.  Chemical burns may result if the Stimulator housing is ruptured or pierced.  The Boston Scientific DBS Systems may interfere with the operation of implanted stimulation devices, such as cardiac pacemakers, implanted cardioverter defibrillators, or medication delivery pumps. Patients should operate motorized vehicles or potentially dangerous machinery with caution.  It is unknown if the device may hurt an unborn baby. Your doctor may be able to provide additional information on the Boston Scientific DBS Systems.  For complete indications for use, contraindications, warnings, precautions, and side effects, see DBSandME.com or call 833-DBS-INFO or 833-327-4636

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

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