Timmermann L, Schüpbach M, Hertel F, Wolf E, Eleopra R, Franzini A, Servello D, Skogseid IM, Rumia J, Aliaga AS, Barbe MT, Pauls - January 20, 2013
Background: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is highly successful in treating Parkinson's disease (PD), dystonia, and essential tremor (ET). Until recently implantable neurostimulators were nonrechargeable, battery-driven devices, with a lifetime of about 3-5 years. This relatively short duration causes problems for patients (e.g. programming and device-use limitations, unpredictable expiration, surgeries to replace depleted batteries). Additionally, these batteries (relatively large with considerable weight) may cause discomfort.