The U.S Food and Drug Administration has approved several deep brain stimulation (DBS) devices for the treatment of Parkinson’s symptoms.
Each device has the same basic components: wires, a battery and a connection between them. The devices also work in similar ways. A surgeon places thin wires into the areas of the brain that affect movement. These wires deliver small electrical pulses that help ease movement symptoms, such as tremor, slowness and stiffness.
Although DBS devices share similar components and deliver the same type of therapy, they differ in battery options, programming capabilities and other features.
Read on to learn about the features, benefits and considerations of currently available DBS devices.
Tips for Choosing a DBS Device
You and your care team may consider several factors when choosing a DBS system.
DBS Battery Options
All DBS manufacturers offer rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries, which vary in size and how often they need to be replaced.
Rechargeable batteries may need fewer replacements over time — roughly once every 10 to 15 years — but require regular recharging at home. Non-rechargeable batteries last three to five years, on average, before they need to be replaced. Replacement involves an outpatient surgical procedure, meaning you typically do not need to stay overnight in the hospital.
Battery size is another important consideration. Non-rechargeable batteries tend to be larger, while rechargeable units take up less space. This difference may be a consideration for people with smaller body frames.
Device Control and Programming Options
Each DBS device offers different tools that people living with Parkinson’s and their clinicians use to program and manage treatment. Options include smartphone-based controllers, dedicated handheld devices and remote care capabilities.
Your Clinician’s Experience and Recommendation
Your neurosurgeon, movement disorder specialist or DBS clinician will likely recommend a DBS system based on their experience placing and programming specific devices. Ask your health care team which devices they commonly use and why they might recommend one system over another based on your symptoms and treatment goals.
DBS Research and Clinical Trials
DBS technology continues to advance through research. Clinical trials are evaluating new programming approaches, different types of sensors and adaptive systems designed to further personalize treatment. If participating in research is important to you, ask your doctor whether clinical studies involving DBS may be available.
Available DBS Devices
Several DBS devices are available, each with different features. Talk with your doctor to determine which system may be best for you.
Medtronic
Medtronic offers advanced features through its Percept™ system that can help make therapy more personalized by sensing your brain signals and adjusting stimulation accordingly.
- Brain Sensing Technology
The system detects and records brain signals that may change when you experience symptoms. This gives your DBS programmer more information about your brain activity to help guide therapy adjustments. - Adaptive Stimulation
Using information from brain sensing technology, your clinician can set a range within which the system automatically adjusts stimulation in real time, in response to changes in your brain activity. Rather than delivering the same level of stimulation all the time, the system automatically adjusts to your unique brain signals. - Personal Controller
This controller includes a digital diary that allows you to track when you experience certain symptoms, such as dyskinesia or “off” times. Your clinician can review this information alongside changes in brain activity to help guide programming adjustments.
Boston Scientific
Boston Scientific offers programming features through its Vercise Genus™ DBS system that can help clinicians tailor therapy to your unique brain anatomy and symptoms.
- Multiple Independent Current Control
This feature allows your DBS programmer to deliver different amounts of stimulation to different points, or contacts, along the DBS leads to fine tune settings. - Image-Guided Programming
This feature uses detailed brain scans to show your clinician where the DBS leads are located in your brain. The images can help guide programming decisions and adjustments. - Personal Controller
The controller is a smartphone-based device that allows you to manage aspects of your therapy within settings established by your clinician.
Abbott
Abbott DBS systems (Infinity™ and Liberta RC™) offer remote programming capabilities through a digital health platform. This may make it easier for some people to receive therapy adjustments without traveling to their clinician’s office.
- Virtual Clinic
This feature allows you to receive DBS programming from home or another location outside your clinician’s office. Your clinician connects remotely to your DBS system and adjusts your settings in real time using Wi-Fi. For people who live farther from their DBS clinic, this feature might make regular check-ins and adjustments more convenient.
Virtual programming requires a reliable internet connection. - Personal Controller
The personal controller allows you to give your clinician permission to access your DBS device for virtual programming sessions. You can also download an app on your smartphone to interact with your DBS device.
The medical information contained in this article is for general information purposes only. The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research has a policy of refraining from advocating, endorsing or promoting any drug therapy, course of treatment, or specific company or institution. It is crucial that care and treatment decisions related to Parkinson’s disease and any other medical condition be made in consultation with a physician or other qualified medical professional.
Sponsorship Acknowledgment
This content was made possible by Medtronic. Partner support allows us to furnish high-quality educational content to the Parkinson’s community while maintaining our commitment to allocate donor dollars to high-impact research. The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research is solely responsible for this content.