An innovative evaluation system for incontinence therapy offers a more discreet and unobtrusive experience for patients during the evaluation period.

The Medtronic Verify Evaluation System is used temporarily to determine if bladder or bowel control therapies to be delivered by the Medtronic InterStim System, may provide long-term relief for patients suffering from chronic symptoms of overactive bladder, non-obstructive urinary retention, or bowel incontinence, who had failed or were not candidates for more conservative therapies. The system consists of a small, external neurostimulator that is concealed securely in a soft belt worn at the waist under clothing, and a mobile phone-sized wireless controller with a touch-screen for easy stimulation adjustments.

The system is used following a minimally invasive outpatient procedure to place the lead, and includes a usage log that allows physicians to effectively manage patient evaluations by reviewing the operation of the system and matching it against a patient's diary of daily bladder or bowel episodes. Results of the therapy vary, and not every patient's response is the same; in addition to risks related to any medical procedure, complications can include pain, infection, sensation of electrical shock, device problems, undesirable change in voiding function, and lead migration.

Both the Verify System and the long-term InterStim System provide mild electrical stimulation to the sacral nerves, a therapy thought to help normalize communication between the bladder (or bowel) and the brain. The implantable components of the system consist of a neurostimulator and a lead that are implanted under the skin following a successful trial stimulation period with the Verify Evaluation System. The Medtronic Verify Evaluation and InterStim systems are products of Medtronic (Minneapolis, MN, USA).

“More than 150,000 patients worldwide have received Medtronic bladder control or bowel control therapies, and we are excited to bring the latest advancement in evaluation technology to physicians and patients,” said Linnea Burman, vice president and general manager of gastro/urology therapies at Medtronic. “The Verify System reinforces Medtronic's commitment to innovative solutions for the treatment of overactive bladder, urinary retention and bowel incontinence.”

“Mild stimulation of the sacral nerves can have a significant impact on patients suffering from overactive bladder, urinary retention, or bowel control issues. The trial stimulation period allows them to try the therapy before having a neurostimulator implanted,” said Ken Peters, MD, chief of urology at Beaumont Hospital (Royal Oak, MI, USA). “This new trial system provides me with vital information so I can determine if the long-term therapy is right for individual patients.”

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