Parkinson's disease is a common neurodegenerative disorder in middle-aged and elderly people. Epidemiological data in China show that China has the largest population of Parkinson's disease patients.2021The number of Parkinson's disease patients per year has exceeded500Million, the incidence rate is also higher than the global average.¹。

Parkinson's disease seriously affects the quality of life of patients and currently has no cure. Although medication can control some symptoms, its efficacy gradually diminishes as the disease progresses and may also cause side effects.Deep Brain Stimulation (Deep Brain Stimulation，DBS`) therapy has become a safe and effective treatment method due to its advantages of being minimally invasive, reversible, and adjustable.`

But it needs to be pointed out that, traditionallyDBSThe equipment still has limitations in terms of the precision, controllability, and side effect management of stimulation, and cannot fully meet the personalized treatment needs of different patients.

InDBSUnder the industry trend towards precise neurostimulation, Boston Scientific has provided an "answer" to the aforementioned clinical pain points.

Today, Boston Scientific attended the 14th Asian-Australasian Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery (AASSFN) Annual Meeting forUnder its umbrellaVercise Genus™ Implantable Deep Brain Neurostimulation (DBS) System Held China Launch Conference. It is reported that the product was2024Year10Approved in China at the end of the month, the first batch of implants were recently completed in the country.

Then, compared with traditionalDBSCompared to technology, Boston ScientificVercise Genus™ DBSWhat are the technical advantages of the system? As the industry moves towards personalized and precise treatment, how does this product lead Parkinson's treatment technology into the "precise era"?

It is understood that Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, with the subthalamic nucleus (STN) of the patient's brain being affected.STN) and the medial pallidum (GPi) The abnormal electrical signals generated by the nucleus of the nerve ganglion cause clinical symptoms such as tremor, bradykinesia, and muscular rigidity in patients.

At the same time,Since these neural nuclei not onlyParticipateControl body movements, and also participate in important functions such as cognitive and emotional regulation. ThereforeInThese areas cannot be treated with destructive surgery but instead require precise electrical stimulation to modulate their function.

In fact,DBSBasic PrinciplesAs forIt is the use of electrodes to deliver electrical pulses to specific areas of the brain.The key characteristics of the electrode include biocompatibility,Resilience,Durability, long-term stability, surgical feasibility, good conductivity, electrical properties, operability, appropriate current delivery and spatial configuration.In addition,Other considerations includeMRICompatibility and Perceptual Potential.

Different from other products,Vercise Genus™ DBSSystem's Unique Directional Electrode DesignPlays a key role in achieving precision treatment.Its8The touch-point directional electrode adopts a unique tip electrode design,CombinationMICC(Multiple Independent Shaping Stimuli)Technical advantages, capable of flexibly adjusting the range of neural stimulation“Shaping”，Assistant DoctorInPrecision and ComplexityBrainIn the structure, more precisely stimulate the target site,Avoid Adverse Reaction Areas, alleviating symptoms such as tremors, bradykinesia, and rigidity, thereby improving motor function in patients with Parkinson's disease.

In addition,Vercise Genus™ DBSSystemPossessFour-channel, Dual-channelImplantable Deep Brain Neurostimulator,Can be connected separately4Root Electrode、2Root Electrode,Can provide treatment options for patients' different clinical needs。Among them,The four-channel stimulator is currently the only one approved in the Chinese market.Implantable Deep Brain Neurostimulator，It canSimultaneous Connection4Root electrode stimulation of different nuclear group areas in patients,For havingPatients with complex symptom treatment needsProvide MoreClinical choices.

A period of5Multi-center clinical research data over the years show that Boston Scientific'sDBSThe system is able toImprovement of Motor Function in Parkinson's Patients51%, and the "on-period" time with good daily status increased relative to before treatment.6Hours, the quality of life of patients participating in the study improved to reach34%²。

It should be noted that,DBSAs a minimally invasive interventional treatment method, its effectiveness highly depends on the precision of electrode placement and the optimization of stimulation parameters.

But using traditionalDBSIn the traditional programming method, the operator is like groping in the dark, searching for targets in an environment without a map or road signs. Thus, the traditional programming process mainly relies on the doctor's experience and the patient’s immediate feedback, which has the problems of strong subjectivity and low efficiency. Moreover, due to individual differences in patients' brain structures, traditional programming is very challenging and time-consuming.

In response to this clinical pain point,Vercise Genus™ DBSThrough withBrainlab(Boston Scientific) Cooperative Visualization Programming SystemStimview XT，Help the surgeon identify the "optimal stimulation point" that best suits the patient, display specific structures within the patient’s brain and the electrode implantation location, and visualize real-time changes in the stimulation field.Avoiding side effect areas, it is truly a doctor'sDBSThe "Third Eye" in Surgery.

It is reported that this visualization programming system from Boston ScientificCan reduce the average for the operator56%³Programmable Time。

Specifically,Stimview XTIntroducing visualization into the programmable environment, forSurgeonProvide real-time stimulationScopeView.SurgeonCan transfer patientsBrain tissueAnatomical Structures and StimulationRange ViewCombined, real-time correlation of stimulated brain regions with clinical outcomes,CanQuickly and intuitively adjust stimulation parameters to ensure efficacy and personalized treatment.

At the same time,With the help ofStimview XTPlatform，Doctors can clearly demonstrate specific patientBrain tissueAnatomical Information, forDoctors of Various DepartmentsProvide intuitive support for treatment discussions between patients.ItsClear, intuitive treatment options,YesEnable multidisciplinary teams to collaboratively develop and optimize treatment strategies, thereby improving treatment outcomes and patient satisfaction.

It is worth mentioning that,Vercise Genus™ DBSThe system allows patients to receive1.5T MRIExamination, enhancing patient safety and convenience.At the same time,Rechargeable Implantable Deep Brain Stimulator for up to25Years of service life can provide patients with long-term stable medical security.

Neuromodulation Technology as a Cutting-edge Medical Approach is Gradually Becoming Key to Improving Patients' Quality of Life and Enhancing Neurological Function. By precisely modulating neurons or neural signals in adjacent or distant parts of the central nervous system, peripheral nervous system, and autonomic nervous system, this technology is showing broad application prospects in an increasing number of disease diagnosis and treatment fields. In recent years, neuromodulation technology has made significant progress, and its market has entered a period of rapid growth.

According toMordor IntelligenceData estimation,2024The neurostimulation market size in 2023 is61.2Billion USD, predicted to2029This figure is expected to climb to92.6billion USD, with a compound annual growth rate expected to reach11.20%。This booming market has not only attracted the attention of numerous enterprises both in China and abroad, but also driven fierce competition and a wave of innovation within the industry.

In the past few years, the possibility of modulating brain circuits and even human behavior has grown exponentially. These developments have also given rise to physical drugs (electroceuticals) field, the most well-known and widely used isDBSTherapy. With multipleDBSThe competition among manufacturers in the global market is intensifying,DBSThe pace of technological development is constantly accelerating.

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Technology Development Timeline

Boston Scientific asDBSOne of the pioneers of the therapy,As early as2012The year, it was first launched in the European market withMICCTechnicalDBSSystemVercise™, RedefineDBSTreatment model, and established its technical leadership position in the field of precision treatment for Parkinson's disease;2017Year, Boston ScientificVercise™ DBSObtained in the United StatesFDAApproved for the treatment of Parkinson's disease, becoming the most technologically advanced in the U.S. market at that timeDBSOne of the systems.Its Continuous InnovationDBSTechnology provides patients with more precise and personalized treatment options.

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Data shows that the number of Parkinson's disease patients worldwide is increasing year by year. Only2023 In 2023, there were over 1000 Thousands of patients are suffering from the pain, and it is expected that by 2030 By the year, this figure will exceed 1200 Million. Parkinson's disease has become the third biggest killer threatening the health of middle-aged and elderly people, only after tumors and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.

From the perspective of market layout, globallyDBSThe market is mainly dominated by three major brands: Boston Scientific, Medtronic, and Abbott. Among them, Boston Scientific'sVercise Genus™ DBSWith its innovative technology advantages in the global neuromodulation field,2021Entered the National Medical Products Administration of China in yearInnovative Medical Device Channel。

Then, with the official launch of this system in China, will Boston Scientific break the existing market pattern and benefit ChinaDBSWill technology open a new chapter? Instrument Family will continue to follow up and report.

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