from Viartis:

11th September 2009 - News release
THE WORLD'S SMALLEST DEEP BRAIN STIMULATOR FOR PARKINSON'S DISEASE

Approval has been given for the world's smallest, longest-lasting rechargeable Deep Brain Stimulator (DBS) for Parkinson's Disease. Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) involves the use in Parkinson's Disease of electrodes that are implanted into the brain and connected to a small electrical device that can be externally programmed. For more information go to Deep brain stimulation. The new small device is called the Brio neurostimulator. It is very thin and light, and only slightly bigger than a man's wrist watch. Additionally, the device has the greatest recommended implant depth of any rechargeable DBS device. The thin profile and greater implant depth potentially makes the neurostimulator less noticeable and more comfortable for patients. The Brio DBS system delivers mild electrical pulses to specific targets in the brain, stimulating the structures that are involved in muscular movement. The system consists of a neurostimulator - a surgically implanted battery-operated device that generates the electrical pulses - and leads which carry the pulses to the brain to influence the irregular nerve signals responsible for the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease. For more details read the News release. In order to refer to this article on its own click here.

Rayilyn Brown
Director AZNPF
Arizona Chapter National Parkinson Foundation
rbrown@aznpf.org