SenSight™ Directional Lead System with Brain-Sensing Capability Launches Clinical Use in China

China Finance and Economics News, June 14th: Recently, the world's first directional electrode system with brain sensing function, SenSight™, officially started clinical application in hospitals in China.

Reportedly, this product is the world's first directional electrode system for brain pacemakers that has received full approval from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) of China, the U.S. FDA, and the EU CE for being both sensing and compatible with 3.0T and 1.5T whole-body MRI scans.

The SenSight™ Directional Lead System, developed by the global medical technology company Medtronic, made its debut as a star exhibit at the 6th China International Import Expo in 2023. From "exhibit" to "product," the clinical implantation of the SenSight™ Directional Lead System marks a new era in the precise treatment of Parkinson's disease in China, reaching an internationally leading level while also accelerating the progress of personalized and precise treatment with brain pacemakers in China.

Data shows that the brain pacemaker (DBS), professionally termed "deep brain stimulation," works by implanting electrodes into specific nuclei deep in the brain, emitting electrical pulses to stimulate these areas, thereby improving patients' symptoms and quality of life. It has been approved for treating Parkinson’s disease, dystonia, essential tremor, and epilepsy. This therapy has been clinically applied globally for over 35 years and in China for more than 25 years, benefiting over 250,000 patients worldwide.

The electrode is an important component of the deep brain stimulation (DBS) implant system, responsible for delivering precise and stable electrical stimulation to targeted nuclei in the patient's brain while ensuring long-term postoperative treatment. The accurate implantation of the electrode is one of the key factors for the efficacy of DBS and postoperative management. Medtronic has introduced the SenSight™ directional electrode system, which includes both hardware and software systems, representing an iterative upgrade of the DBS electrode system.

According to the introduction, the feature of the SenSight™ directional lead system lies in achieving directional stimulation. Its unique 1-3-3-1 rounded segmented eight-contact design allows for free adjustment of the stimulation direction and independent control of contact currents, enabling precise targeting of the intended nuclei while avoiding unnecessary brain areas, thus achieving "maximized efficacy and minimized side effects." Additionally, its brain sensing function can accurately capture specific brain signals related to disease symptoms within the patient’s brain, with a sensitivity reaching one millionth of a stimulation pulse. Objective brain data will assist doctors in making treatment decisions to address disease progression and changes, allowing for personalized treatment measures for patients.