Longevity Analysis of Currently Available Deep Brain Stimulation Devices

Abstract

Objective: There continues to be debate about the surgical technique, electrophysiology, and hardware used in deep brain stimulation (DBS), despite its widespread use in medically intractable Parkinson’s disease and essential tremor. This article is the first, to our knowledge, to compare the longevity of the available internal pulse generators (IPGs) of DBS (Kinetra and Soletra, Medtronics). Methods: We compared the elapsed time from the initial surgery to the first replacement of IPGs in patients with bilateral Soletra IPGs to those with the unilateral Kinetra IPG and analyzed the various stimulation parameters of each device. Results: The battery life of the Soletra system was significantly longer than that of the Kinetra and also allowed for higher voltages, longer use of monopolar mode, and a greater number of electrode contacts. Conclusions: Our findings support superior battery life and a greater capacity for titration to symptom control with bilateral Soletra IPGs.

Battery Longevity Comparison of Two Commonly Available Dual Channel Implantable Pulse Generators Used for Subthalamic Nucleus Stimulation in Parkinson’s Disease

“…Our results have been replicated in several recent studies on the DBS treatment of various conditions in the Kinetra and earlier single channel Soletra IPG system [16,17]. It has been suggested that this may be due to the lower stimulation parameter settings with which patients are initially commenced when the DBS system is first inserted.…”

“…Similarly, by analysing battery longevity of these 2 systems in the treatment of a single disease (PD) targeting a single nuclei (STN), we have removed 2 of the most significant variables on battery life as reported in the literature [16]. It has been noted that battery longevity is significantly affected by disease pathology, with a shorter battery life noted in the treatment of dystonia and essential tremor possibly due to the higher voltages and more frequent changes to stimulation parameters required in these disorders [17,18].…”

“…Although previous authors have analysed battery longevity in single channel IPGs, there has so far been no such analysis of battery longevity in the newer generation of dual channel IPGs that are currently in use [16]. We have therefore set out to compare if there is any significant difference in battery life between the Medtronic Kinetra IPG and the Activa PC, which has now come to replace it.…”

Battery Life Matters in Deep Brain Stimulation

“…The IPG duration may vary depending on the setting environment [2, 3]. However, we suspect that this shorter battery life is real, and we may need to inform patients before performing surgery and be prepared for earlier replacement of the battery than was previously expected.…”

Evaluation of high-perimeter electrode designs for deep brain stimulation

“…The IPGs used in DBS have an average battery life of 2–5 years (Ondo et al, 2007, Halpern et al, 2011). Since the battery life of the IPG is less than the treatment duration, patients using DBS require repeated battery replacement surgeries, which are costly and obligate the patient to incur repeatedly the risks associated with surgery, including infection (Boviatsis et al, 2010, Bronstein et al, 2011) and misprogramming (Okun et al, 2005).…”