Neurostimulator
Encyclopedia
In medical technology
a neurostimulator, also called an implanted pulse generator (IPG) is a battery
powered device designed to deliver electrical stimulation to the brain
.
and vagus nerve stimulation
, designed to treat neurological disorders.
These devices are implanted
within a person's body, usually beneath the clavicle
. The neurostimulator can be calibrated by a neurologist
, nurse or trained technician
to the individual patient's needs.
Neurostimulators must be replaced periodically upon battery failure, (usually within three to five years) though battery life is dependent on individual usage. Battery life can be reasonably predicted by the use of a telemetry
programming device so that the unit can be replaced prior to battery failure. Rechargeable devices are now available, which, in theory, never need to be replaced.
Medical technology
Medical Technology encompasses a wide range of healthcare products and is used to diagnose, monitor or treat diseases or medical conditions affecting humans. Such technologies are intended to improve the quality of healthcare delivered through earlier diagnosis, less invasive treatment options and...
a neurostimulator, also called an implanted pulse generator (IPG) is a battery
Battery (electricity)
An electrical battery is one or more electrochemical cells that convert stored chemical energy into electrical energy. Since the invention of the first battery in 1800 by Alessandro Volta and especially since the technically improved Daniell cell in 1836, batteries have become a common power...
powered device designed to deliver electrical stimulation to the brain
Brain
The brain is the center of the nervous system in all vertebrate and most invertebrate animals—only a few primitive invertebrates such as sponges, jellyfish, sea squirts and starfishes do not have one. It is located in the head, usually close to primary sensory apparatus such as vision, hearing,...
.
Applications and use
Neurostimulators are an integral component of surgically implanted systems such as deep brain stimulationDeep brain stimulation
Deep brain stimulation is a surgical treatment involving the implantation of a medical device called a brain pacemaker, which sends electrical impulses to specific parts of the brain...
and vagus nerve stimulation
Vagus nerve stimulation
Vagus nerve stimulation is an adjunctive treatment for certain types of intractable epilepsy and treatment-resistant depression.- Mechanism of action :...
, designed to treat neurological disorders.
These devices are implanted
Implant (medicine)
An implant is a medical device manufactured to replace a missing biological structure, support a damaged biological structure, or enhance an existing biological structure. Medical implants are man-made devices, in contrast to a transplant, which is a transplanted biomedical tissue...
within a person's body, usually beneath the clavicle
Clavicle
In human anatomy, the clavicle or collar bone is a long bone of short length that serves as a strut between the scapula and the sternum. It is the only long bone in body that lies horizontally...
. The neurostimulator can be calibrated by a neurologist
Neurologist
A neurologist is a physician who specializes in neurology, and is trained to investigate, or diagnose and treat neurological disorders.Neurology is the medical specialty related to the human nervous system. The nervous system encompasses the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. A specialist...
, nurse or trained technician
Technician
A technician is a worker in a field of technology who is proficient in the relevant skills and techniques, with a relatively practical understanding of the theoretical principles. Experienced technicians in a specific tool domain typically have intermediate understanding of theory and expert...
to the individual patient's needs.
Neurostimulators must be replaced periodically upon battery failure, (usually within three to five years) though battery life is dependent on individual usage. Battery life can be reasonably predicted by the use of a telemetry
Telemetry
Telemetry is a technology that allows measurements to be made at a distance, usually via radio wave transmission and reception of the information. The word is derived from Greek roots: tele = remote, and metron = measure...
programming device so that the unit can be replaced prior to battery failure. Rechargeable devices are now available, which, in theory, never need to be replaced.
See also
- Deep brain stimulationDeep brain stimulationDeep brain stimulation is a surgical treatment involving the implantation of a medical device called a brain pacemaker, which sends electrical impulses to specific parts of the brain...
- Vagus nerve stimulationVagus nerve stimulationVagus nerve stimulation is an adjunctive treatment for certain types of intractable epilepsy and treatment-resistant depression.- Mechanism of action :...
- Spinal cord stimulation
- NeurotechnologyNeurotechnologyNeurotechnology is any technology that has a fundamental influence on how people understand the brain and various aspects of consciousness, thought, and higher order activities in the brain...