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RECHARGING INTELLIS™ SPINAL CORD STIMULATION

For more information about how to use your recharger, download the programmer guide.
DOWNLOAD PROGRAMMER GUIDE(opens new window)

FAST, CONVENIENT RECHARGING

As you start to use your Intellis™ SCS device, it’s important to know how to recharge your programmer and implanted neurostimulator. When the Low Battery screen appears on either the therapy programmer or neurostimulator, it’s time to recharge.

How your doctor programs your stimulation determines how often your implanted neurostimulator should be charged. Higher stimulation settings may need to be recharged more often than lower-level settings. Regular charging is important and will become part of your daily routine.

KEY FEATURES OF THE INTELLIS™ SCS RECHARGE SYSTEM

  • Fast recharge — empty to full in about one hour
  • Convenient — portable recharging system lets you conveniently recharge without being plugged into a wall
  • Minimal loss of charging capacity over time — 5% battery fade over the life of the battery.*
Patient programmer screen showing battery life.

USING YOUR INTELLIS™ RECHARGE SYSTEM

SYSTEM COMPONENTS

The recharging system includes:

  • The recharger (attached to the therapy programmer) charges your implanted neurostimulator.
  • The belt helps keep the antenna directly over the implanted neurostimulator during a charging session.
  • The therapy programmer battery pack is the rechargeable power source for the therapy programmer.
  • The AC power supply plugs one end into a wall outlet and the other end into the therapy programmer.
Intellis spinal cord stimulator charging components, including the battery pack, AC power supply, belt, recharger, antenna and programmer.

USING YOUR BELT

  1. Press your skin over the area where your neurostimulator is implanted to determine the best position for the recharger.
  2. Place the antenna into the opening on the belt and position it directly over the neurostimulator.
  3. Plug the recharger into the programmer charging port.
  4. Follow the steps on the programmer for recharging.

Avoid being overly active during recharging. Movement could cause the belt to shift, which could limit or stop recharging session.

Closeup of SCS patient's recharger belt.

DURING RECHARGING

Following these tips will help ensure that your recharging session is successful.

  • The best time to recharge is when you’re sitting and doing something that doesn’t involve much movement, like reading or watching TV.
  • After getting a good/excellent recharge connection, let the screen “go to sleep.”
  • The blinking green light on the therapy programmer means the system is recharging.
  • If the recharger and neurostimulator don’t have a good connection, Poor recharge quality may appear on the screen. If repositioning the recharger doesn’t work, you may have an option to select Try Again. See our frequently asked questions to learn more about how to troubleshoot warning screens.

HELPFUL HINTS

  • Charge the programmer battery pack before recharging the neurostimulator battery. You cannot charge both at the same time.
  • Keep your programmer battery pack and implanted neurostimulator charged even if you’re not using them for an extended period of time.
  • During a charging session, you can turn stimulation on and off and adjust stimulation levels.
  • If you stop a charging session, Finished will appear on the screen. This does not mean the battery level is at 100%.
  • If the stimulator battery depletes to the red warning level, the stimulation will turn off automatically. You will need to turn it back on manually once the implanted neurostimulator has a minimum of 15% (yellow) charge.

WARNING: DO NOT use the recharger on an unhealed wound. The recharging system is not sterile and contact with a wound can cause an infection.

LEARN ABOUT GETTING AN MRI

In the future, you may need an MRI to diagnose an illness. Learn more about planning for an MRI.

LEARN ABOUT MRI

FREQUENTY  ASKED QUESTIONS

See common questions and answers for living with SCS therapy for chronic pain.

VIEW FAQ

Medical Disclaimer

Information contained herein does not replace the recommendations of your healthcare professional. See the device manual for detailed information regarding the instructions for use, indications, contraindications, warnings, precautions, and potential adverse events. For further information, contact your Health Care Professional.

References

1

*R132488, Comparison of Intellis Capacity Fade Model to Long-term Characterization Data (Testing data)

2

R126760, Performance characterization of partially charged/discharged Overdrive RS2 Batteries

3

NANS 2018 abstract & poster – “Overdrive®: A Breakthrough Battery Technology for a New Generation of Rechargeable SCS Neurostimulators”, Gaurav Jain et. al., Medtronic. (Presented as a poster at NANS)