Medtronic has introduced Activa PC and Activa RC dual-channel deep brain stimulation (DBS) systems to treat the symptoms of advanced Parkinson’s disease and essential tremor in the US and Europe.
The device is also approved for dystonia in Europe.
The Activa SC system is comprised of an implantable neurostimulator; a thin, insulated lead that is placed in a specific target within the brain; and an extension to connect the neurostimulator and the lead.
Like Activa PC, Activa SC is powered by a primary cell (non-rechargeable) battery that does not require maintenance from the patient to provide continuous stimulation for multiple years.
An external physician programmer is used to non-invasively adjust stimulation programming parameters, and a hand-held patient programmer with an LCD screen is used by the patient to modify pre-set stimulation settings or check the battery status.
Activa SC, like all Medtronic DBS devices, is approved for MRI scans under specified conditions.