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Understanding DBS therapy

Having clear information about your therapy options can help you feel more in control when choosing the right treatment for your movement disorder symptoms. Explore how the Vercise™ DBS System is designed, how the procedure works, and how your doctor customizes your relief.¹

A tablet displays a medical device control interface with various colored controls and data panels. In front of the screen are two implantable medical pulse generator units and a thin lead cable with electrode contacts.

Vercise DBS System

The Vercise DBS System from Boston Scientific is built for your life. It works like a pacemaker for the brain, using thin wires to send gentle electrical signals to the specific areas that control movement.

Our system is a personalized platform — not a device that treats everyone with a movement disorder the same. Vercise is designed to adapt to your unique anatomy, aiming to give you the best possible relief from Parkinson's disease (PD) or essential tremor (ET) symptoms.²

DBS therapy, your way

See if DBS therapy may be right for you

Answer a few quick questions about your PD or ET symptoms. It should take no more than 5 minutes, and you’ll get information on whether our personalized therapy might be right for you.

Get started

Has a physician diagnosed you or a loved one with Parkinson’s disease (PD) or essential tremor (ET)?

How Boston Scientific’s DBS System works

The Vercise DBS System consists of components that work together under the skin to deliver personalized stimulation to your brain.

DBS leads.

The leads

Your doctor will place 1-2 insulated wires called leads in the brain. These are the points where therapy is delivered to the targeted area.

DBS lead extensions.

The extensions

The leads are connected to thin wires called extensions. These run under your skin, behind the ear, and down your neck to reach the power source.

Close-up product image of a Boston Scientific Vercise Genus R16 deep brain stimulation system IPG.

The stimulator

A small stimulator — the power source — is implanted under your skin. It sends mild electrical pulses to specific regions of your brain, regulating abnormal signals.³

See how the Vercise DBS System works

Watch this short video to find out more about how DBS works and how it might help you find relief.

Proven clinical outcomes of DBS therapy

Clinical studies and real-world results show that the Vercise DBS System is effective in helping patients manage their movement disorder symptoms.

96% improvement

In a large-scale registry study, 96% of patients reported an overall improvement in their symptoms after 1 year with the Vercise DBS System.⁴


20-minute programming

With Image Guided Programming (IGP), doctors can reach initial therapy settings in as little as 20 minutes — less than half the typical time of traditional methods.⁵

15-year warranty

Boston Scientific offers the only rechargeable system with a 15-year warranty, designed to provide long-term relief with fewer replacement surgeries.⁶

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Dive deeper into the data

Ready to see the clinical evidence behind our personalized approach? Explore the study results and safety information that help define our therapy success.

View clinical evidence

What to expect from your procedure

Your DBS therapy happens in phases over a period of time. Here is what you can expect as you and your clinical team prepare, implant, and personalize your system.

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Evaluation and candidacy

Before having DBS, you’ll meet with a DBS specialist for a series of screenings. This ensures you’re a good candidate for the procedure and may include brain imaging, general health checks, and routine lab work. It’s also the right time to contact your insurance provider to confirm coverage.

Implantation in phases

The procedure is typically done in 2 parts. First, leads are placed in the brain. You may be awake for this, so you can help your team test the placement. Next, the stimulator is implanted in your chest and connected to the leads via the extension. This second phase generally requires anesthesia.

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Programming and recovery

Most patients stay in the hospital for 1-2 days for monitoring. After an initial healing period, you’ll return to have your therapy customized through Image Guided Programming. This allows your doctor to see exactly where your leads are — and dial in the settings that work best for you.

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Why Boston Scientific DBS

Discover how our expertise and technology help you get back to what matters. Learn why so many people — and their doctors — have chosen us as their partner for Deep Brain Stimulation therapy.

Why choose us

Is it time for you to consider DBS?

The right time for DBS is different for everyone. Explore resources specific to your diagnosis to find out where it fits in your care.

Who qualifies for DBS?

DBS for Parkinson’s disease

Learn about the "window of opportunity" for DBS and how it can help when medication no longer gives your PD symptoms consistent relief.

Explore Parkinson's resources

DBS for essential tremor

Discover how DBS can be a life-changing option for those whose tremors have become resistant to medication and interfere with daily life.

Explore essential tremor resources

REAL SUCCESS STORIES

Kenneth’s DBS story

“When I first had the DBS device turned on, I experienced no tremors. Within a day or two, my toes were no longer curling. Now that my tremor has been relieved, my goal is to be able to hike in the Grand Canyon once again.”


The patient quotes in this material describe real personal experiences. Individual results may vary. Consult with your physician to determine if you are a candidate for this procedure and what you may gain from the therapy.

More PD successes
More ET successes
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Create connections that matter

From local in-person gatherings to expert-led webinars, connect with those who know DBS and those who live with it to share experiences, gain knowledge, and find support.

Explore events

Have questions about DBS?

Get answers to common questions about DBS, from the procedure to recovery and beyond.

Explore our DBS FAQs

Take your next step toward DBS therapy

DBS therapy, your way

See if DBS therapy may be right for you

Answer a few quick questions about your PD or ET symptoms. It should take no more than 5 minutes, and you’ll get information on whether our personalized therapy might be right for you.

Get started

Has a physician diagnosed you or a loved one with Parkinson’s disease (PD) or essential tremor (ET)?

A person holds a smartphone while relaxing indoors with a mug in the other hand. The phone screen displays a website titled "Find a DBS specialist near you" with a search interface and a map.

Find Care

Locate a DBS specialist near you

Find a movement disorder specialist who offers Boston Scientific’s personalized DBS therapy near you.

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questions?

Call Patient Education

Our Patient Education Specialists can give guidance and answer any questions you have during your search for the right DBS System.

Call us at (833) 327-1473

Monday through Friday

7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. PT

This website is compiled by Boston Scientific (“BSC”) as a reference tool for locating physicians who have experience with Deep Brain Stimulation (“DBS”). This database may not include all physicians that use or have used BSC’s products. No physician has been paid or received a fee to be included in this database.

BSC does not verify or monitor the license, credentials, accreditations or qualifications of any physician listed in the database, and is not responsible for the medical advice of the physicians included in this database. BSC is not responsible and shall not be liable to you or others for any decision made or action taken by you in reliance on this information obtained from this database.

Inclusion of a physician in the database does not mean that BSC endorses or recommends such physician. Similarly, the fact that a physician is not included in the database does not mean that physician is not qualified.

The results are listed by proximity to the search criteria.

Indications for Use:
The Boston Scientific Vercise™ PC, Vercise Gevia™, Vercise Genus™ Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Systems are indicated for use in the following:

• Bilateral stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) as an adjunctive therapy in reducing some of the symptoms of moderate to advanced levodopa-responsive Parkinson’s disease (PD) that are not adequately controlled with medication.

• Bilateral stimulation of the internal globus pallidus (GPi) as an adjunctive therapy in reducing some of the symptoms of advanced levodopa-responsive Parkinson’s disease (PD) that are not adequately controlled with medication.

• Unilateral thalamic stimulation of the ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM) is indicated for the suppression of tremor in the upper extremity. The system is intended for use in patients who are diagnosed with essential tremor or parkinsonian tremor not adequately controlled by medications and where the tremor constitutes a significant functional disability.

• Bilateral stimulation of the ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM) of the thalamus for the suppression of disabling upper extremity tremor in adult essential tremor patients whose tremor is not adequately controlled by medications and where the tremor constitutes a significant functional disability.

Intended Use:

The Boston Scientific Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Systems are intended to treat movement disorders by stimulating a specific brain target.

The Vercise™ DBS Controller is intended to communicate with and control the compatible Boston Scientific Stimulator.

The Charger is a medical device that is intended to charge the battery of the compatible Boston Scientific rechargeable Stimulator.

Contraindications: The Boston Scientific Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Systems are not recommended for patients who will be exposed to the following procedures: Diathermy as either a treatment for a medical condition or as part of a surgical procedure, Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). The safety of these therapies in patients implanted with the Boston Scientific DBS System has not been established. Patients implanted with Boston Scientific DBS Systems without ImageReady™ MRI Technology should not be exposed to Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Patients implanted with the Vercise Gevia or Vercise Genus or Vercise Genus Mixed System with M8 Adapter or Vercise DBS Lead-Only System (before Stimulator is implanted) with ImageReady MRI Technology are Full Body MR Conditional only when exposed to the MRI environment under the specific conditions defined in ImageReady MRI Guidelines for Boston Scientific DBS Systems. The external/non-implantable components of the Vercise Genus DBS System (Charging System, Remote Control, mobile device with Vercise DBS Controller, and accessories) are MR Unsafe. Do not take them into any MRI environment.
Boston Scientific DBS Systems are not recommended for patients who are unable to operate the system or are poor surgical candidates or who experience unsuccessful test stimulation.

Warnings: With all medical procedures, there are risks associated with the procedure and the use of the device. Unauthorized modification to the medical devices is prohibited. You should not be exposed to high stimulation levels. High level of stimulation may damage brain tissue. Patients implanted with a Boston Scientific DBS System may be at risk for intracranial hemorrhages (bleeding in the brain) during DBS lead placement. Strong electromagnetic fields, such as power generators, security screeners or theft detection systems, can potentially turn the stimulator off, or cause unpredictable changes in stimulation. The system should not be charged while sleeping. If you notice new onset or worsening depression, changes in mood or behavior or impulse control, or have thoughts of suicide contact your physician or emergency services immediately. You should use caution when doing activities that require coordination, even if you were able to do them before receiving therapy (for example, swimming). Patients should exercise reasonable caution when bathing. Chemical burns may result if the Stimulator housing is ruptured or pierced. The Boston Scientific DBS Systems may interfere with the operation of implanted stimulation devices, such as cardiac pacemakers, implanted cardioverter defibrillators, or medication delivery pumps. Patients should operate motorized vehicles or potentially dangerous machinery with caution. It is unknown whether the DBS device may cause complications with pregnancy. Do not use the Vercise™ DBS Controller while the mobile device is charging. The effect of using the Vercise DBS Controller while charging the mobile device has not been evaluated.



Be sure to talk with your doctor so that you thoroughly understand all of the risks, precautions, and benefits associated with the use of the device and what indicates, and contraindicates, certain patients– as well as the risks and precautions for the procedure. For complete indications for use, contraindications, warnings, precautions, and side effects, see DBSandME.com or call 833-DBS-INFO or 833-327-4636.



CAUTION: U.S. Federal law  restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician.

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