The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted approval for Medtronic's Percept RC deep brain stimulation (DBS) system, marking a significant advancement in the treatment of Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders. DBS is a surgical procedure involving the implantation of an electrode in the brain to deliver electrical stimulation to specific regions, offering relief from debilitating symptoms.
Medtronic's Percept RC system is recognized as the smallest and thinnest dual-channel neurostimulator designed for DBS. This newly approved technology incorporates BrainSense, an exclusive feature enabling the monitoring of brain activity. The system's compact design and innovative capabilities aim to enhance the precision and personalization of DBS therapy.
Amaza Reitmeier, Vice President and General Manager of Brain Modulation at Medtronic, expressed the potential impact of DBS therapy with BrainSense technology in controlling tremors associated with Parkinson's disease. The system provides patients with the ability to engage in everyday activities, improving their quality of life.
The Percept system's unique feature, BrainSense technology, enables the monitoring of brain activity, allowing physicians to fine-tune and personalize DBS treatment. While additional data are needed, this sensing capability offers the potential to tailor stimulation delivery based on individual brain activity, presenting a path to more personalized therapy for Parkinson's disease.
Dr. Casey Halpern, a neurosurgeon at the University of Pennsylvania, highlighted the significance of the Percept system's sensing capability in potentially personalizing DBS therapy in the future. The ability to capture data from patients' lives outside of clinical settings provides valuable insights for delivering tailored care.
Eleni Okeanis Vaou, MD, a DBS expert at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, emphasized the positive impact of DBS for patients with movement disorders. She noted that being able to capture data from patients' daily lives based on brain activity enhances the information available for providing individualized care.
The Percept system includes a rechargeable battery, offering efficient charging from 10% to 90% in less than an hour. Medtronic states that the electrode battery has a service life of at least 15 years. Additionally, the system is designed to be safe for use in MRI scans, and its architecture allows for software updates without the need for device replacement.
Dr. Vaou highlighted the significance of choosing technology based on patient needs, emphasizing the Percept system's rechargeable neurostimulator as a valuable tool for optimizing care in a data-driven, individualized, and personalized manner.
Medtronic's Percept RC deep brain stimulation system represents a notable advancement in DBS technology, offering a more compact and feature-rich solution for patients with Parkinson's disease and movement disorders. The FDA approval underscores the system's safety and efficacy, paving the way for improved treatment options and personalized care in the field of neurostimulation.
