Company Press Release
Medtronic Announces First Human Implant of New Device to Treat Essential
Tremor and Parkinson's Disease
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/980813/mn_medtron_1.html
MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE: MDT - news),
today announced the first human use of the Kinetra(TM) Neurostimulator,
the next step in treating people suffering from the debilitating
symptoms of Essential Tremor or Parkinson's disease. Because many
patients require leads implanted on both sides of the brain to control
their shaking and involuntary movement on both sides of their body, the
Kinetra Neurostimulator is designed to accommodate two extensions,
connected to two leads, and to eliminate the necessity of implanting two
separate neurostimulation devices.
Kinetra Neurostimulators were implanted into two patients on the same
day by Francois Alesch, M.D., at the Hospital Confraternitat in Vienna,
Austria. Both patients, a 37-year-old male and a 70-year-old
female, are recovering normally. The two patients had suffered from
Parkinson's disease for several years. After their operations, both
showed improvement in their Parkinsonian symptoms.
The Kinetra Neurostimulator, which contains a battery and
microelectronic circuitry, is placed under the skin, usually near the
collarbone, and provides mild electrical stimulation to tiny electrodes
near the tips of the leads implanted deep in both the left and right
sides of the brain. Stimulation is intended to block signals that cause
symptoms. Among the Kinetra Neurostimulator's many features is its
ability to interface with the hand-held Access(TM) Therapy Controller,
which allows patients to adjust their own therapy within limits preset
by the physician.
``The operations were a great success,'' said Alesch. ``The therapy
should cause significant improvement in the patients' ability to
participate in the activities of daily living, such as tying their own
shoes and feeding and dressing themselves. This device is designed for
patients with bilateral symptoms. Because only one device is necessary,
it is easier to implant.''
The new Kinetra Neurostimulator will be used as a power source for
Activa Tremor Control Therapy and Activa Parkinson's Control Therapy.
Activa Tremor Control Therapy involves mild electrical stimulation of
the thalamus of the brain to control Essential Tremor and tremor
associated with Parkinson's disease.
Activa Parkinson's Control Therapy is designed to stimulate the globus
pallidus or the subthalamic regions of the brain to control the major
symptoms of Parkinson's -- rigidity (stiffness or inflexibility of
the limbs and joints), bradykinesia/akinesia (slowness or absence of
movement), postural instability (impaired balance and coordination), in
addition to tremor (involuntary rhythmic shaking). The Parkinson's
Control Therapy was recently commercially released in Europe, Australia,
and Canada.
Activa Parkinson's Control Therapy, the Kinetra Neurostimulator, and the
Access Therapy Controller are not yet cleared for use in the United
States. <SNIP>
SOURCE: Medtronic, Inc.
Copyright © 1998 PRNewswire.
--
Judith Richards, London, Ontario, Canada
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