Boston Scientific receives EU approval for DBS therapy for dystonia

Boston Scientific has announced that its Vercise deep brain stimulation system has been granted European CE Mark approval.

The device has been ratified for use in the treatment of intractable primary and secondary dystonia, a neurological movement disorder characterised by involuntary muscle contractions that affects more than 500,000 people across Europe.

Boston Scientific's Vercise DBS System is the first system designed to selectively stimulate targeted areas of the brain in order to customise therapy and has already been shown to offer benefits in the management of Parkinson's disease.

It represents a more complete and personalised therapy approach for this debilitating condition and combines a long battery life with a small implanted stimulator footprint.

Maulik Nanavaty, president of neuromodulation at Boston Scientific, said: "With this approval we look forward to extending the use of this technology to improve the quality of life of patients with dystonia."

This comes after the company received CE Mark approval for Guide DBS, a visualisation system for use with Vercise, earlier this year.