A smart programmer that allows incontinence patients to adjust their therapy
20 million American adults suffer from OAB (overactive bladder), while 20 million suffer from faecal incontinence. Moreover, even today, it is a stigma when it comes to acknowledging these pelvic health issues.
Patients have been using InterStim from Medtronic for twenty years which gives them relief. However, the company is working on technology that will offer a discreet and user-friendly way, which will give the patient’s an upper hand on control therapy.
What was the solution?
Medtronic aimed towards removing its legacy patient programmer device with limited functionality, in addition to an obstructive form factor. Moreover, it will also be a user-friendly mobile device that will be familiar to the patients. It will not draw attention to their condition either.
In collaboration with Samsung, Medtronic made a new InterStim smart programmer using a Samsung Galaxy smartphone and therapy applications. The smartphone comes with the software applications of Medtronic proprietary and will let the patients manage their treatment subtly
Patient Friendly Device
The new smart programmer will let patients manage their InterStim implant. Furthermore, they will also have a familiarity with the device. This smart programmer will allow patients to adjust their therapy wherever they want. It will not draw any attention to their pelvic health condition since it looks just like a smartphone. This technology is adopted by the new InterStim and is being used in multiple states like Europe and the United States. It is providing patients with a user-friendly face to the therapy, putting the control in their hands.
Jim Willenbring, Senior Director, Digital Health and Patient Operations, Medtronic, says,