Boston Sci’s Vercise Gevia Deep Brain Stimulators for Parkinson’s Now Available in U.S.

Boston Scientific is releasing its Vercise Primary Cell (PC) and Vercise Gevia deep brain stimulation (DBS) systems in the U.S. Both have received recent FDA approval to be used in managing symptoms of Parkinson’s, as well as European regulatory clearance for Parkinson’s, dystonia, and essential tremor.

The devices feature the company’s innovative Vercise Cartesia directional lead which allows for precise control of the location, direction, shape, and range of the electrical stimulation that is delivered. The lead has eight independent electrodes and the system can adjust the electrodes’ activities in response to the changing impedance measured in the brain. “The progression of Parkinson’s disease necessitates a therapy that can evolve with the patient over time,” in a statement said Dr. Francisco Ponce, MD, director of the Barrow Center of Neuromodulation in Phoenix, Arizona and the first center to implant the new system. “The newly approved Vercise Directional DBS Systems offer smaller devices, are engineered for longer rechargeable battery life and more customizable stimulation compared to other similar systems currently in the market. These factors may improve patient comfort and allow physicians to adjust treatment as a patient’s needs change.”

The Vercise Gevia is rechargeable, and the battery should last at least fifteen years before it will need a replacement, while the Vercise Primary Cell is non-rechargeable and lasts at least three years while offering the same capabilities as the Gevia.

One of the benefits with these neurostimulators is the STIMVIEW Technology that is used during implantation. It is a software package that helps to program the implant by providing a visualization of how the stimulation will affect the brain. The size, shape, and direction of the stimulation can be tuned thanks to multiple independent current control (MICC) technology, which can result in optimal therapy while avoiding common side effects resulting from deep brain stimulation.

Additionally, at least in Europe, the implant is MR conditional, keeping open the option for patients who use it to receive MRI scans, as long as certain precautions are taken.