Brain battery is a treatment method that is successfully applied in some neurological diseases that cause involuntary movement disorders in the body.
In which diseases is the brain battery applied?
1. Parkinson’s disease
2. Dystonia (A group of diseases in which the body is constantly twisted involuntarily)
3. Tremor (tremor)
4. Epilepsy (Sara disease)
5. Huntington’s disease (a genetic disease in which movement coordination is progressively impaired)
How is it implemented?
In this process; Thin cables are placed in the “brain nuclei” located in the middle part of the brain with a very sensitive method, and continuous electrical stimulation is given by a battery placed in the chest or abdomen. In this way, nerve cells whose electrical activity has been impaired due to the disease are reorganized and the symptoms of the disease disappear.
Especially Parkinson and tremor patients can get rid of difficulties such as tremor, inability to walk and speak in a short time and have the opportunity to lead a normal life.
Before implantation of a brain battery, a series of detailed examinations, imaging and neuro-psychiatric evaluation tests must be performed and the patient’s suitability for this treatment must be demonstrated.
Brain pacing surgery can only be applied to patients who are likely to benefit significantly from the treatment.
Surgery is usually performed while awake. Before the operation, an apparatus called “stereotactic frame” is placed on the patient’s head, and then a film is taken and coordinate calculations are made. As a result of very precise calculations with advanced computer programs, targets are determined and cables are placed at these points with local anesthesia.
Is the battery being replaced?
The life of the installed battery is approximately 5-6 years. At the end of this period, the old battery can be replaced with a new one in a 15-minute process without interfering with the cables in the brain.
How does the brain battery affect daily life?
After the operation, the patient can return to his work and social life as his doctor deems appropriate. While the person can easily meet his daily needs, he can continue his life as a healthy individual.
Can those with a brain battery pass through security devices?
It is okay for patients with brain pacemakers to access x-ray and security scanning devices.
Can patients with a brain pacemaker have a tomography or MRI?
There is no problem in these patients having a CT scan. Body MRI is not recommended, but MRI may be done to image the brain as appropriate.
Is it inconvenient for patients with a brain pacemaker to do sports or exercise?
Patients can exercise properly and an active life is very important. However, sports that require close contact and may cause trauma should be avoided.
1. Spinal Cord Pillow – What is Spinal Cord Stimulation?
Spinal cord stimulation is based on the logic that the electric current applied through an electrode (electrical cable) placed on the spinal cord prevents the feeling of pain.
The pain sensation coming from the leg, arm or trunk is transmitted to the brain, which will perceive this sense, through the spinal cord. The travel of these signals to the brain is prevented by spinal cord stimulation, that is, the spinal cord battery, so the nervous system is prevented from transmitting the pain to the brain, which should not be at the spinal cord level. In short, even if the pain continues, it cannot be transmitted to the brain, so it is not perceived, that is, the feeling of pain disappears.
The most important point here is that there should not be a situation that can be corrected by surgery. In other words, the patient has a herniated disc that needs to be operated and if this is the cause of the pain, this patient should be operated on for a herniated disc, and spinal cord surgery should not be performed.
In our country, the treatment of treatment-resistant pain is under the guarantee of SSI, and our citizens can benefit from this opportunity with a very low price difference or free of charge.
2. How is Spinal Cord Battery Surgery Performed?
spinal cord surgery
A. With the awake needle method or
B. With the incision method under anesthesia
It can be done in two ways.
A. Awake, Spinal Cord Battery Surgery with Needle Method
In this method, which is performed with the regional anesthesia method while the patient is awake, the patient is first placed face down on the operating table and after the necessary regional anesthesia is performed, a medium-thickness needle is advanced towards the spinal cord with the help of mobile x-rays. After making sure that the spinal cord is reached, the cables are placed on the spinal cord with the help of this needle and advanced to where they should be. Test currents are given to make sure that the required place is reached and the patient is asked the following question; “Do you feel a tingling exactly where you felt the pain?” If the answer to the question is yes, the cables are exactly where they should be and the second stage of the surgery is started.
After this process is completed, the cables are connected to a temporary battery and the patient is discharged and taken into the testing process. If the patient states that he has benefited at the end of the test process, a permanent new battery is placed under the skin with a very short procedure under local anesthesia. After the permanent battery is placed, no device remains outside, everything is embedded under the skin.
B. Spinal Cord Pace Surgery Under Anesthesia With Incision Method
In this type of surgery, after the patient is put to sleep, that is, he is put under general anesthesia, he is placed face down on the operating table, and then the skin is cut in the area related to the areas where the pain occurs, the spinal bone lamina is removed, the bone lamina is removed with auxiliary devices and the spinal cord is exposed. Then, electrodes are placed on the membrane and the cables are connected to a temporary battery, and the patient is discharged and taken into the testing process. At the end of the test process, if the patient states that he has benefited, a permanent new battery is placed under the skin with a very short procedure under regional anesthesia. After the permanent battery is placed, no device remains outside, everything is embedded under the skin.
As you have noticed, in this type of intervention, since the patient is not awake, he is not asked whether he feels the electric current, so the cables are placed in an average place. This is the biggest advantage of doing this surgery awake.
3. Spinal Cord Stimulation – Who Can Be Applied to Spinal Cord Pace Surgery?
Among the people who will benefit from Spinal Cord Battery treatment;
– Diabetic Neuropathy (chronic pain due to sugar)
– Vascular Diseases such as Burger (treatment of vasoconstriction due to smoking)
– Phantom pain (feeling that the amputated limb still aches)
– Unsuccessful lumbar surgery (Pain does not go away after lumbar hernia surgery)
– Failed neck surgery (Pain does not go away after neck hernia surgery)
– Patients with spinal cord paralysis who continue to have pain
– Patients with cancer pain
Countable.
4. How is it decided to have a spinal cord surgery?
The application of the surgery is decided by a committee consisting of Neurology, Neurosurgery, Algology and Physical Therapy physicians. All members of the committee first examine the patient. If it is observed that the drug treatment is no longer sufficient or the drug use causes side effects, it is decided to test the patient. If the patient declares that he has benefited after the test attempt, it is decided to place the permanent battery.
Testing is one of the biggest advantages of this surgery. In this way, it is clearly understood whether the person will benefit from this surgery or not.
