Medtronic -- Neuromodulation
Student: Lauren Yancy, 2020-2021
Sponsor: Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN
Medtronic is a global leader in medical devices servicing a wide range of patients. One of their devices is a Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) device which is used to treat movement disorders related to Parkinson’s Disease. The device is composed of electrical leads that are surgically implanted into a patient’s brain. The leads deliver therapeutic shocks to the damaged parts of the brain, temporarily correcting or reducing the effects of the disease. This device also records brain activity and stores it to the device. Currently, the patient’s data is collected during clinic trips where their care team can interpret it and make changes to the patient’s care plan, as necessary. Needing to be physically in the clinic to deliver the data can be problematic. Medtronic is working on technology that would allow a patient to wirelessly deliver this data and receive care changes from the patient’s medical team. Due to the richness of data, it will need to be delivered in a much more efficient manner. The technology will also need to have a plan to bring it to potential customers.