In a LinkedIn post, Medtronic VP and GM for Brain Modulation, Amaza Reitmeier, confirmed the milestone. Percept RC received FDA approval earlier this month, with company officials calling it a “game-changing” device.
“I’m delighted to announce the first U.S. patient implants of our new Medtronic Percept RC neurostimulator for deep brain stimulation (DBS)!” Reitmeier wrote. “Congratulations to all! Thank you for your dedication to bringing life-changing DBS therapy to all who need it.”
Dr. Casey Halpern and a team at Penn Medicine performed the first Percept RC implants in the U.S. Other neurosurgery teams also completed implants, including Dr. Alexander Papanastassiou and Dr. Eleni Okeanis Vaou at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Dr. Amir Faraji at Houston Medical and Dr. Ronnie Alterman at Beth Israel Medical Center.
Medtronic designed Percept RC as the smallest and thinnest dual-channel neurostimulator available for DBS. It includes BrainSense technology that captures and records brain signals. This provides insights that enable a healthcare provider to adapt and personalize therapy to a patient’s evolving needs.
The system also offers at least 15 years of service life with consistent and fast recharge performance. Its battery provides less battery fade for a more reliable, longer-lasting battery life. Percept RC also has rapid recharging capabilities, going from 10% to 90% full charge in less than one hour.
Sensing-enabled DBS through Percept enables physicians to personalize treatment for patients with movement disorders. Those include Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, dystonia and epilepsy.
