title: A new rechargeable device for deep brain stimulation: a prospective patient satisfaction survey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is highly successful in treating Parkinson's disease (PD), dystonia, and essential tremor (ET). Until recently implantable neurostimulators were nonrechargeable, battery-driven devices, with a lifetime of about 3-5 years. This relatively short duration causes problems for patients (e.g. programming and device-use limitations, unpredictable expiration, surgeries to replace depleted batteries). Additionally, these batteries (relatively large with considerable weight) may cause discomfort. To overcome these issues, the first rechargeable DBS device was introduced: smaller, lighter and intended to function for 9 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  Of 35 patients implanted with the rechargeable device, 21 (including 8 PD, 10 dystonia, 2 ET) were followed before and 3 months after surgery and completed a systematic survey of satisfaction with the rechargeable device.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall patient satisfaction was high (83.3 ± 18.3). Dystonia patients tended to have lower satisfaction values for fit and comfort of the system than PD patients. Age was significantly negatively correlated with satisfaction regarding process of battery recharging.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dystonia patients (generally high-energy consumption, severe problems at the DBS device end-of-life) are good, reliable candidates for a rechargeable DBS system. In PD, younger patients, without signs of dementia and good technical understanding, might have highest benefit.
authors: Department of Neurology, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany. lars.timmermann@uk-koeln.de
authors: Lars
authors: L
authors: Timmermann
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Schüpbach
authors: Frank
authors: F
authors: Hertel
authors: Elisabeth
authors: E
authors: Wolf
authors: Roberto
authors: R
authors: Eleopra
authors: Angelo
authors: A
authors: Franzini
authors: Domenico
authors: D
authors: Servello
authors: Inger-Marie
authors: IM
authors: Skogseid
authors: Jordi
authors: J
authors: Rumia
authors: Antonio Salvador
authors: AS
authors: Aliaga
authors: Michael T
authors: MT
authors: Barbe
authors: K Amande M
authors: KA
authors: Pauls
authors: Jean-Pierre
authors: JP
authors: Lin
authors: Elena
authors: E
authors: Moro
authors: Andrew
authors: A
authors: Lloyd
authors: Mohammad
authors: M
authors: Maarouf
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D046690:Deep Brain Stimulation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D058542:Implantable Neurostimulators; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult