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Using Your Patient Programmer

Dystonia

You will use your patient programmer to turn your therapy on or off and check the battery. You may also be able to adjust the stimulation within options programmed by your doctor.

Patient Programmer Basics

  • Know what to do when you see a warning or alert
  • Start by learning the easy, basic operation of your programmer
  • Over time, learn more features of your programmer
  • Always keep the programmer with you

Models

There are three models of patient programmer.

  • DBS Patient Programmer for Activa® neurostimulators
  • Access Review Patient Programmer for Soletra®
  • Access Patient Programmer for Kinetra®

Instruction and Help

  • Your clinician or nurse will show you how to use your programmer. Call the clinic if you need more help or have questions.
  • You will receive a manual with detailed instructions.
  • The Medtronic DBS Helpline is here to answer questions about how to use your programmer. Call us on +44 (0) 1923 205101 Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 16:00.

What Do the Buttons Do?

Your manual explains the symbols displayed on the screen. The illustration shows the main buttons on the DBS Patient Programmer for Activa neurostimulators.

  1. Turn therapy on and off.
  2. Check status of neurostimulator battery.
  3. Press up or down arrows for menu options. Press left or right arrows to see more choices.
  4. Increase or decrease therapy settings.
  5. Turn programmer on and off.

programmer_pic

What Do the Symbols Mean?

Your manual explains the symbols displayed on the screen. The chart is a quick guide to common symbols on the DBS Patient Programmer used with Activa neurostimulators.

 

dbs-status-on Therapy is on.
dbs-status-off Therapy is off.
dbs-battery-ok Battery is okay.
br_pic Battery is close to depletion.
dbs-clinician-eri Call your clinician. The neurostimulator battery is close to depletion. Therapy will not be available soon.
dbs-clinician-eos Call your clinician immediately to schedule replacement surgery. The neurostimulator battery is depleted and your neurostimulator is no longer delivering therapy.

Manuals and Quick Guides

Your programmer manual has information about use, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

  • Your clinician will give you the printed manual for your programmer
  • You can get a replacement copy by calling the Medtronic DBS Helpline on +44 (0) 1923 205101
  • You can also view or save the following electronic versions on your computer

Activa

Medtronic DBS Patient Programmer Patient Manual(opens new window) (9 MB)

Kinetra

Access Therapy Controller User Manual(opens new window) (3 MB)

Soletra

Access Review Therapy Controller User Manual(opens new window) (1 MB)

Next: Product Care

Information on this site should not be used as a substitute for talking with your doctor. Always talk with your doctor about diagnosis and treatment information.