Recovering from your procedure

Each part of your Parkinson's disease (PD) therapy should be carefully considered so you find the right solutions for you and those caring for you. Understanding DBS and what to expect from the procedure helps you decide if it fits your treatment plan.

The steps of DBS

Your DBS procedure happens in phases over a period of time. Here’s what you can expect from exploration to recovery.¹

Explore your options

In the early stages of PD, while your symptoms are still responding to medications, explore all the treatments and therapies available to you as a patient with PD. Find a Movement Disorder Specialist to help you along your journey. And begin the process of talking to your health insurance about DBS. Many providers cover DBS.

96% of people who received Boston Scientific DBS would choose to do it again.²

Have a DBS surgery evaluation

Meet with a neurologist and complete a series of screenings to see if you’re a candidate for DBS surgery when the time comes. Screenings may include ON time/OFF time testing, a neuropsychological evaluation, a general health screening, brain imaging, and routine lab work.

People with tremor experience an average of 70% reduction in tremor, depending on its type and location.¹

Lead implantation surgery

If you’ve chosen DBS and you’re a good candidate for the surgery, the first step in the implantation process is to place “leads” in the brain. During surgery, your doctor may perform tests to ensure that the leads are positioned correctly by asking you to move your arms and legs, or make other simple movements. Expect to stay in the hospital at least overnight for monitoring.

DBS provides an additional 6 hours of "on time" without troublesome dyskinesias compared to medication alone, giving people more control and independence to live life without rigidity or freezing.³

Stimulator implantation

After lead implantation, you’ll undergo an outpatient procedure to implant your stimulator. This procedure generally requires anesthesia. Your doctor will implant the stimulator and connect it to your leads via the extension. The stimulator sends signals to a targeted portion of your brain, which may improve motor function and reduce symptoms such as temor, slowness, and rigidity.

1 year into treatment, patients experienced a 63% improvement in their motor function.⁴

Programming & optimization

Following your surgery and recovery, your DBS System will be turned on and customized to you. In them onths following implantation, you'll work closely with your care team, making adjustments and ensuring you are in the best control possible of your PD symptoms.

Marked improvements in motor function are sustained for at least 5 years.⁵

DBS is safe and effective

With any procedure or surgery, safety is your first concern. We understand. While there’s a risk with every procedure, DBS isn’t a new therapy and has been used as a normal part of PD treatment for many years. More than a quarter century of clinical trials and patient experiences have tested the safety and effectiveness of treating Parkinson’s disease with DBS.⁴’⁶ People like you are already experiencing the benefits of this life-changing treatment.

Hear from the expert

Dr. Jens Volkmann, MD, PhD, Chairman and Professor of Neurology at University Clinic of Wurzburg (Germany) and global thought leader in DBS, discusses the safety of Deep Brain Stimulation.

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Results from case studies are not necessarily predictive of results in other case studies. Results in other studies may vary.

Results from different clinical investigations are not directly comparable. Information provided for educational purposes only.

References:

Okun, Michael, and Pamela Zeilman. Parkinson’s Disease Deep Brain Stimulation a Practical Guide for Patients and Families.
Knoop et al. Bridging the gap in patient education for DBS surgery for Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s Disease. 2017. 2017: 1-6.
Vitek JL, Jain R, Chen L, et al. Subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation with a multiple independent constant current-controlled device in Parkinson’s disease (INTREPID): a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled study. Lancet Neurol. 2020;19(6):491‐501. doi:10.1016/S1474-4422(20)30108-3
Weaver et al. Bilateral deep brain stimulation vs best medical therapy for patients with advanced Parkinson Disease: A randomized Controlled Trial. JAMA. 2009. 301: 63–73.
Krack et al. Five-year follow up of bilateral stimulation of the subthalmaic nucleus in advanced Parkinson’s disease. N Eng J Med. 2003. 349: 1925–1934.
Boston Scientific Patient Information Brochure A Brighter Future is Taking Shape: Treating Parkinson’s Disease with Deep Brain Stimulation. Copyright 2021.

The Vercise Genus™ DBS System, Vercise Genus Mixed System with Vercise™ M8 Adapter, Vercise Genus Mixed System with Vercise™ Adapter S8, 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.

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.
Bilateral stimulation of the ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM) of the thalamus for the suppression of disabling upper extremity tremor in adult essential tremor patients whose tremor is 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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