title: A critical reflection on the technological development of deep brain stimulation (DBS).
abstract: Since the translational research findings of Benabid and colleagues which partly led to their seminal paper regarding the treatment of mainly tremor-dominant Parkinson patients through thalamic high-frequency-stimulation (HFS) in 1987, we still struggle with identifying a satisfactory mechanistic explanation of the underlying principles of deep brain stimulation (DBS). Furthermore, the technological advance of DBS devices (electrodes and implantable pulse generators, IPG's) has shown a distinct lack of dynamic progression. In light of this we argue that it is time to leave the paleolithic age and enter hellenistic times: the device-manufacturing industry and the medical community together should put more emphasis on advancing the technology rather than resting on their laurels.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biomedical Ethics, University of Zurich Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ineichen
authors.affiliation: Department of Philosophy, University of Calgary Calgary, CGY, Canada.
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Glannon
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Maastricht University Medical Center Maastricht, Netherlands.
authors.forename: Yasin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Temel
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University Hospital Zurich Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Christian R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Baumann
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Zurich Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Oguzkan
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Sürücü
keywords: deep brain stimulation; development; ethics; functional neurosurgery; innovation; stereotactic operation; technology