Who turns on the stimulator?
The movement disorder team activates the stimulator and determines the correct settings to obtain the maximum clinical benefit with minimal side effects. Over the first few months, patients may need a number of adjustments to determine the best settings. Once the optimal settings have been determined, patients can turn stimulation on and off with a small magnet, which is held over the pulse generator for one or two seconds. How long does the stimulator s battery last? Battery longevity varies depending upon the parameter settings and number of hours the stimulator is turned on each day. The average battery lasts about five years at typical settings, with 16 hours of daily use. When the stimulator battery needs to be replaced, the surgeons implant a new one into the chest. This is usually done under local anesthesia. The delicate brain surgery involved in placing the electrodes is never repeated. The extension and lead are not replaced. Will people notice the stimulator? All components,
