
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.

Switching 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 switch 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.