NATICK, Mass., June 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE: BSX) announces the first implantation of its Vercise™ DBS System as part of the INTREPID clinical trial.  INTREPID is a prospective, multi-center, double-blinded, randomized, controlled study to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of motor function and overall quality of life in patients with the Vercise DBS System for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

The Vercise DBS System is a neurostimulation device that delivers electrical signals to specific areas within the brain through individual lead contacts.  It is the only system that allows physicians to adjust the current flow in fine increments based on patient needs.

The first patient was implanted at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles by a team led by Michele Tagliati, M.D., director, Movement Disorders Program, and Adam Mamelak, M.D., FACS, FAANS, director, Functional Neurosurgery. 

"The Vercise DBS System offers the promise to customize stimulation control in ways never before possible," said Dr. Tagliati.

"The indications for deep brain stimulation are rapidly expanding, while innovations in the devices used for this therapy have been slower," said Philip A. Starr, M.D., PhD, co-principal director, Functional Neurosurgery Program, University of California, San Francisco and co-principal investigator of the trial. "The launch of this trial heralds advanced innovation in device development which is greatly needed."

"The Vercise DBS System has the ability to deliver stimulation in a precise manner due to multiple independent current control which represents a significant opportunity for DBS therapy in the treatment of Parkinson's disease," said Jerry Vitek, M.D., professor and chair, Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota and co-principal investigator of the trial. "The technology offered with this system is designed to provide a flexible programming platform that is expected to improve our patients' quality of life."

The Vercise DBS System has both CE Mark and TGA (Australia Therapeutic Goods Administration) approval and is available for sale in Europe, Israel and Australia.  In the U.S., the Vercise DBS System is investigational and not available for use or sale. 

Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects about one million Americans and seven to 10 million people worldwide, according to the World Health Organization and the Parkinson's Disease Foundation. 

Boston Scientific is an innovation leader in implantable DBS technology.  Through its investments in technology, clinical science and world-class service, Boston Scientific is committed to Making life smoother™ for physicians and patients. 

About Boston Scientific
Boston Scientific transforms lives through innovative medical solutions that improve the health of patients around the world.  As a global medical technology leader for more than 30 years, we advance science for life by providing a broad range of high performance solutions that address unmet patient needs and reduce the cost of healthcare.  For more information, visit www.bostonscientific.com and connect on Twitter and Facebook.  To view or download an image of the Vercise DBS System, please visit our newsroom image gallery.

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Boston Scientific Corporation
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SOURCE Boston Scientific Corporation