Boston Scientific has announced a collaboration with Brainlab AG, a software-driven medical technology company that helps improve patient treatment planning and surgical navigation. The collaboration provides patients and physicians a comprehensive portfolio for deep brain stimulation therapy.
Deep brain stimulation is intended to treat a variety of disorders, and most commonly may help reduce symptoms for movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, dystonia, and essential tremor. As part of the agreement, Boston Scientific will begin distributing the Brainlab deep brain stimulation surgical planning portfolio with the Boston Scientific Vercise deep brain stimulation system in select countries.
“Planning and visualisation are important parts of the deep brain stimulation process and enable more precise placement for better patient outcomes,” said Maulik Nanavaty, president, Neuromodulation, Boston Scientific. “As we continue to invest in product development, clinical science, and solutions services in the deep brain stimulation therapy space, we have found natural synergies with Brainlab. This collaboration offers physicians and their patients advanced device technology as well as sophisticated software capabilities.”
Deep brain stimulation therapy involves the placement of a device in the brain that stimulates specific areas of the brain using electrical signals. The Vercise deep brain stimulation system incorporates multiple independent current controls, which are designed to stimulate targeted areas in the brain selectively, providing physicians with precise stimulation management.
“Our collaboration with Boston Scientific is a harmonious fit given the complementary nature of our innovative portfolios and shared passion for technology,” said Stephan Holl, chief operating officer, Brainlab. “Our joint solutions will streamline and integrate deep brain stimulation treatments for physicians and their patients and will also serve as a future platform to further increase the access to and consistency of care.”
The Vercise deep brain stimulation system has CE mark approval and is available in Europe, Israel, Australia and certain countries in Latin America and Asia Pacific for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease, tremor and/or dystonia. In the USA, the Vercise deep brain stimulation system is investigational and not available for use or sale. The INTREPID clinical trial is currently enrolling patients in the USA, evaluating the safety and effectiveness of the Vercise deep brain stimulation system for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.
