MRI access for sacral neuromodulation systems

MRI Brochure

SureScan™ MRI technology

Proprietary SureScan™ technology helps meet the MRI needs of your bladder and bowel control patients. Patients with InterStim™ SureScan™ leads can receive full body 1.5T and 3T MRI scans.

Interstim X micro leads

MRI accessibility comparison

InterStim™ compared to the Axonics™* system

  Medtronic InterStim™ systems†,1 Axonics™* all models2
Full-body MRI eligibility for low impedance​
3T full-body MRI eligibility for out-of-range impedance​
3T full-body MRI eligibility for lead fragments​
No impedance check required prior to full-body MRI​
Digital display clearly confirms MRI mode activation
Full-body scans allowed within first level controlled operating mode​

Full-body 1.5T and 3T MRI scans with SureScan™ technology

SureScan™ MRI technology provides MRI technicians with a simple, convenient, and streamlined workflow.

  • No impedance checks required prior to MRI scans
  • Scans allowed even if patients have out-of-range impedances
  • MRI mode is easy to activate or deactivate on a smart programmer without clinician or Medtronic interaction
  • Digital display for clear confirmation of MRI mode activation
SureScan lead

SureScan™ lead has proprietary tantalum braiding that allows radiofrequency energy to be safely distributed from the MRI.

The most common adverse events associated with sacral neuromodulation include pain at implant sites, new pain, lead migration, infection, technical or device problems, adverse change in bowel or voiding function, and undesirable stimulation or sensations. Any of these may require additional surgery or cause return of symptoms.

Broadest MRI access for your sacral neuromodulation patients1,2

Experience matters. With more than 20 years of MRI research, 10 million simulated patient scans, and more than 1.2 million unique scanning scenarios, Medtronic SureScan™ MRI systems offer broad MRI access.

Activating MRI mode on an InterStim™ system

Patients should place the InterStim™ system in MRI mode before the MRI scan and outside of the MRI scanner room. When MRI mode is activated with the smart programmer, stimulation is turned off and the “MRI mode activated” screen appears, showing MRI scan eligibility.

MRI screen modes

1.5T and 3T full-body scans with InterStim™ systems are now supported in cases where a lead fragment is left behind provided conditions are met. See approved labeling for eligibility requirements.

† Under certain conditions; see approved labeling for details. Full-body eligibility of intact systems applies to patients with InterStim™ SureScan™ MRI Leads only. Lead fragment conditions include Medtronic lead models 3093, 3889, 978A1, 978B1.

Patient showing MRI compatibility for the Sacral neuromodulation (SNM) which is a proven treatment option for bladder control and bowel control delivered by the InterStim™ system.

MRI guidelines

View MRI guidelines in the MRI resource library. Search by model name, product name, or device type.

Additional resources

™* Third-party brands are trademarks of their respective owners.

† Under certain conditions; see approved labeling for details. Full-body eligibility of intact systems applies to patients with InterStim™ SureScan™ MRI Leads only. Lead fragment conditions include Medtronic lead models 3093, 3889, 978A1, 978B1.
‡ Under certain conditions; see approved labeling for details. Patients with InterStim™ SureScan™ MRI leads only. 

1. Medtronic MRI Guidelines for InterStim™ systems, M980291A032 Rev A​
2. Axonics™ MRI guidelines, US, 110-0092-001rAK 10-2023. Updated October 2023.