UT Health San Antonio doctors among first to implant rechargeable deep brain stimulation device
Posted on: Friday, February 16th, 2024
Doctors at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio) are among the nation’s first to implant a newly approved sensing rechargeable deep brain stimulation device with a 15-year battery life allowing more continual treatment of patients with movement disorders.
Deep brain stimulation, known as DBS, is the placement of electrodes in the brain connected to a battery-operated generator in the chest similar to a cardiac pacemaker. A small impulse of electricity moves from the generator to the electrodes to stimulate a specific area of the brain, relieving some symptoms and side effects for those with Parkinson’s disease, dystonia, epilepsy and essential tremor conditions.
The key feature of the new neurostimulator device is its longevity, a significant improvement over previous non-rechargeable devices that required replacement every three to four years.
To learn more, read the full article at the UT Health San Antonio Newsroom.