- The new system allows patients implanted with an Abbott
neuromodulation device to communicate with their physician and
remotely receive treatment in real time, regardless of
location§
MISSISSAUGA, ON, July 26,
2022 /CNW/ -- Abbott (NYSE: ABT) announces the Health
Canada licencing† of NeuroSphere™ Virtual Clinic, a remote
programming technology that is the first of its kind in
Canada and is compatible with
Abbott's suite of neuromodulation technologies. NeuroSphere Virtual
Clinic has the potential to increase access to optimal treatment
for patients living with chronic pain, Parkinson's disease, or
essential tremors who might otherwise have difficulty receiving
care from their healthcare provider due to location or being unable
to travel to seek care.
Abbott's NeuroSphere Virtual Clinic gives patients the
flexibility and comfort of receiving care
anywhere§ by connecting with their doctor via
secure in-app video chat and an integrated remote programming
feature. This feature enables clinicians to prescribe new treatment
settings remotely to the patient's neurostimulation device using
the clinician programmer app and a new, simple, and secure remote
care connection.
In Canada, it is estimated that
more than 6 million people live with chronic
pain,1 almost 100,000 people live with
Parkinson's disease,2 and almost 2
million people live with an essential
tremor.3,4 Many of these people
who don't live close to a healthcare centre have difficulty
accessing care due to the inability to see their doctor in-person.
They are often challenged by the time associated with the trip,
and/or the availability of a caregiver to help with their travel.
In addition to the time implications, patients and caregivers may
experience considerable travel-related costs and reduced employment
wages. This is particularly true for those living in rural,
northern, and remote parts of the
country.5
"Without alternatives to in-person programming, many of these
patients may delay or forego care, particularly those who face a
travel burden," said Alfonso
Fasano, M.D., Ph.D., with Krembil Brain Institute at Toronto
Western Hospital, part of the University Health Network.
"Fortunately, innovative virtual healthcare options are changing
the treatment landscape, ultimately extending care beyond clinic
walls. Remote programming is an important new option that allows
patients to communicate with their physicians virtually to ensure
proper device settings and functionality. This brings the
convenience of connected care to neurostimulation therapy, giving
patients the ability to manage their therapy in a way that fits
their personal needs."
NeuroSphere Virtual Clinic is compatible with the following
Canadian-licensed Abbott neuromodulation devices:**
- Proclaim™ spinal cord stimulation (SCS), for the management of
chronic, intractable pain of the trunk and/or limbs
- Proclaim dorsal root ganglion (DRG) therapy, for the management
of moderate to severe chronic intractable pain of the lower
limbs
- Infinity™ deep brain stimulation (DBS) therapy, for the
management of Parkinson's disease and tremor
"For more than a decade, Abbott has been evaluating the
treatment hurdles neuromodulation patients faced," said Pedro
Malha, vice president, neuromodulation, Abbott. "During this time,
we have diligently worked to find better ways of connecting
patients to their doctors. The launch of NeuroSphere Virtual Clinic
in Canada exemplifies Abbott's
ability to put science and innovation to work, delivering solutions
to help people live their best lives."
The ongoing evolution of Abbott neuromodulation technologies
highlights the commitment to patient-centered research integrated
with cutting-edge technologies to go beyond physical symptom relief
and improve the lives of people with neurological disorders.
Abbott's NeuroSphere Virtual Clinic was first launched in
the United States in March 2021.
*Neurostimulation systems for DBS are used in patients with
levodopa-responsive Parkinson's disease or tremor. Please refer to
the device Instructions for Use for details.
§Anywhere with a cellular or Wi-Fi connection and
sufficiently charged patient controller.
†The St. Jude Medical Clinician Programmer App and St. Jude
Medical Patient Controller App used with the NeuroSphere Virtual
Clinic are currently licensed.
**Certain configurations of the devices within may not have been
licensed in accordance with Canadian law. Contact your local sales
representative for the regulatory status of the device(s) in
Canada. This product is intended
for use by or under the direction of a physician. Prior to use,
reference the Instructions for Use, inside the product carton (when
available) or at medical.abbott/manuals for more detailed
information on Indications, Contraindications, Warnings,
Precautions and Adverse Events as applicable to Canada.
About Neuromodulation
Neuromodulation is an advanced personalized treatment option often
recommended for patients who suffer from chronic pain and certain
movement disorders, such as Parkinson's disease and essential
tremors. Abbott neuromodulation systems use a recharge-free
implanted generator, and a thin wire called a lead to send mild
electrical pulses to areas of the brain that cause pain or tremors.
These pulses interrupt the signals responsible for these
symptoms.6
About Abbott
Abbott is a global healthcare leader that
helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio
of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare,
with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical
devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 113,000
colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.
Connect with us at www.abbott.com, on LinkedIn
at www.linkedin.com/company/abbott-/, on Facebook
at www.facebook.com/Abbott and on Twitter
@AbbottNews.
1 Prevalence of chronic pain among
individuals with neurological conditions. Statistics Canada. Updated March
21, 2018. Accessed on May 25,
2022.
https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/82-003-x/2018003/article/54921-eng.htm
2 About Parkinson's Disease. Parkinson's Canada. Accessed on May
25, 2022. https://www.parkinson.ca/about-parkinsons/
3 Agarwal, S. (2020, July
14). Essential Tremor. Access on May
25, 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499986/
4 Canada's population
estimates: Age and sex, July 1, 2021.
Statistics Canada. Updated
September 29, 2022. Accessed
May 25, 2022.
https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/210929/dq210929d-eng.htm
5 Publicly funded medical travel subsidy programs in
Canada. Canadian Social Work
Review. Volume 34, Number 1, 2017, p. 123–139. Accessed
May 24, 2022.
https://www.erudit.org/en/journals/cswr/1900-v1-n1-cswr03182/1040998ar/
6 Yu, H., & Neimat, J. (2008). The treatment of
movement disorders by deep brain
stimulation. Neurotherapeutics, 5,
26-36 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.nurt.2007.10.072.
SOURCE Abbott