BrainSense technology makes the Percept DBS neurostimulation system have the ability to chronically capture and record brain signals while delivering therapy to patients with neurologic disorders associated with Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, dystonia, epilepsy or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Physicians can now track patient brain signals and correlate these with patient-recorded actions or experiences, such as symptoms, side-effects, or medication intake.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, will be the first in the United States to implant the newly approved device.

Bryan Klassen, M.D., neurologist, Mayo Clinic, said: “Our goal is for patients to regain independence, and we know that DBS can significantly improve motor function in people with Parkinson’s disease compared to standard medication alone. We can now more precisely tailor therapy to the individual needs of each patient based on data from neuronal activity.”

DBS is an individualised therapy delivered from a small pacemaker-like device, placed under the skin of the chest or abdomen, to send electrical signals through very thin leads to a targeted area in the brain related to the symptoms of a neurological disorder, such as Parkinson’s disease.

Mike Daly, vice president and general manager of the Brain Modulation business, part of the Restorative Therapies Group at Medtronic said: “There is nothing that can replace clinical judgement in treating patients. For the first time, this technology gives clinicians feedback directly from the DBS patient’s brain. With such data-driven, patient-specific insights, we believe it can change the standard of care.”

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