Medtronic (NYSE:MDT) said yesterday that it commercially launched its Activa patient programmer technology for deep brain stimulation in the U.S.
The programmer won FDA approval in July and is designed to combine with a Samsung mobile device to allow patients to manage DBS therapy in a simple and discrete way. Medtronic said more than 150,000 patients have been implanted with its DBS devices for managing Parkinson’s symptoms and other conditions.
Activa’s programmer includes a handset and communicator, allowing for patient data to be shared directly with clinical staff. Clinicians also should have the ability to define settings and coordinate with patients to adjust DBS therapy settings outside of clinic visits.
The system is designed to be managed on a Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 tablet interface, allowing streamlined workflows and actionable information for neurologists and neurosurgeons. Medtronic and Samsung have partnered together since 2013 and expanded that partnership into neuromodulation in December 2015.
The Activa DBS also won FDA approval for conditional full-body MRI in December 2015 and its clinician programmer and programming application got an FDA nod in June 2018.
“Medtronic has been the leader in DBS therapy for over 25 years,” VP & GM of Medtronic’s brain modulation business Mike Daly said in prepared remarks. “This launch continues to serve as further evidence of our dedication to our DBS patients allowing them to experience an altogether smarter therapeutic journey. The new patient programmer builds out an end-to-end solution between patient and healthcare provider with the DBS clinician programmer and Activa programming application. With this device, patients gain confidence, as they are able to discreetly manage their DBS therapy no matter where they are.”
“It is important for patients to have access to advanced technology for user-friendly therapy management at home,” added Hoag’s Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute neurologist & movement disorder specialist Dr. Sandeep Thakkar. “The new Medtronic DBS Activa patient programmer device is an innovative tool that combines familiar consumer technology with medical devices, which facilitates better control for patients in an easier, more accessible way.“
“Medtronic’s DBS therapy managed via Samsung devices offers users a blend of safety and control of their data, while also offering elegance and simplicity of use,” said head of Samsung’s mobile B2B division Taher Behbehani. “It’s through our open yet secure mobility platform that we can offer this level of customization on our market-leading devices, and why the world’s leading companies like Medtronic choose to work with us.”
MDT shares were up 0.1% at $108.65 per share in mid-morning trading today.
