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Available DBS options include:
+ Abbott Infinity Infinity DBS was FDA-approved for Parkinson’ s in 2016. This system offers remote DBS programming and adjustment, from home or another location outside the doctor’ s office. This can, for some, make programming a little easier.
+ Boston Scientific Vercise Vercise was approved for PD in 2012 in Europe and in 2017 in the U. S. The Vercise system uses a person’ s unique brain anatomy to inform programming. Brain images merge with programming software so that the clinician can visualize DBS leads within the brain while programming DBS settings. This might help more specifically direct settings and adjustment.
+ Medtronic Percept Medtronic DBS was the first to gain FDAapproval for Parkinson’ s, in 1997. The Percept system, which was approved in 2020, is now being used. Percept can sense and record an individual’ s distinct brain signals. With this data, doctors may be able to correlate symptoms with brain signals, which can guide DBS adjustments.
Scientists now are studying“ smart,” or“ adaptive” DBS systems. These record and monitor a person’ s unique brain signals and correlate them with symptoms, such as freezing of gait, dystonia or tremor. They aim to deliver stimulation on demand, as needed, for symptoms, rather than continuously as the current devices do. This may further ease symptoms while decreasing side effects and prolonging battery life.
Before Surgery
Richie Rothenberg, MJFF Patient Council member emeritus, had his battery for DBS placed in the chest below the collarbone, the most common location.