The USFDA has approved the first of its kind, drug-free rehabilitation system that uses vagal nerve stimulation to treat moderate to severe upper extremity motor deficits associated with chronic ischemic stroke. It uses an implantable pulse generator to stimulate the vagus nerve. The stroke rehabilitation system electrically stimulates the vagus nerve to reduce deficiencies in the motor function of the upper limb. It thereby improves patients’ ability to move their arms and hands.
The novel system operates with the help of an implantable pulse generator (IPG) that is implanted just under the skin in the patient’s chest. A lead wire is attached to the IPG that extends up to electrodes that are placed on the left side of the neck, in the vicinity of the vagus nerve. Along with the implantable components, the healthcare providers are provided with software that is preloaded onto a laptop…
