Quicker-Cheaper-Safer
The new system, called Picostim, is one third the size of current devices, allowing the electrodes and battery to be placed in the skull. This “brain pacemaker” allows surgery to be much simpler, taking three hours instead of six. It also eliminates the need for a third or fourth revision surgery necessitated by fractures to the lead. What’s more, doctors say the new device reduces the risk of complications and infections, improves safety, has fewer side effects, a better cosmetic appearance and a lower cost compared to the conventional system. Tony Howells is the first of 25 patients who are part of a trial scheduled to be completed next year. Dr. Alan Whone, Consultant Neurologist at North Bristol NHS Trust, who is leading the trial, explained, saying, “We are delighted with how this first case went in the operating theatre and with how the patient’s symptoms have been improved over the last year. We are hopeful that if these findings hold-up, we will have a significant technical advance by which to improve Parkinson’s care across the world.”One Happy Patient
A delighted Mr. Howells talked about his experience, saying, “I was first diagnosed with Parkinson’s nine years ago when I noticed a slight tremor in my right hand. The most difficult thing to accept is the decline in daily activities like tying-up shoelaces, taking three or four minutes instead of seconds. “The surgery was quick and to my amazement when I woke-up I had no pain. I was operated on [on] a Wednesday and went home on Thursday. The impact has been amazing; the dystonia [muscle spasm] which is a side effect from the medication has gone. To say I am happy about having DBS is an understatement.” While his review is glowing, not everyone will be helped.DBS isn’t for everyone
As with the current DBS systems, patients must be carefully evaluated to see if they would benefit. As a rule, DBS is only suggested to patients if medication is failing to control symptoms or is causing serious side effects. While DBS often works well in controlling many of the symptoms of Parkinson’s, it doesn’t work for everyone. The new device is expected to help no more than ten percent of the Parkinson’s population—an estimated one million people in the United States alone. Dr. Whone elaborates, saying, “If you're more elderly, or if you've got memory problems as part of your Parkinson's, this wouldn't be suitable for you. But if you're a younger person with Parkinson's, who can have brain surgery and so on, then it becomes much more applicable to that group."