Using Your Patient Programmer
The patient programmer is a device that allows you to communicate with your implanted neurostimulator. You can turn your therapy on or off, check the neurostimulator’s battery, and change the therapy settings.
Patient Programmer Basics
- Know what to do when you see a warning or alert
- Start by learning the easy, basic operation of your programmer
- Over time, learn more features of your programmer
- Always keep the programmer with you
Models
There are three models of patient programmer.
- DBS Patient Programmer for Activa® neurostimulators
- Access Review Patient Programmer for Soletra®
- Access Patient Programmer for Kinetra®
Instruction and Help
- Your clinician or nurse will show you how to use your programmer. Call if you need more help or have questions.
- You will receive a manual with detailed instructions.
- Medtronic DBS Patient Services is here to help you operate or troubleshoot your programmer. Call (800) 510-6735.
What Do the Buttons Do?
You operate the programmer by pressing buttons, also called keys. The illustration explains the key buttons on the DBS Patient Programmer used with Activa neurostimulators. All the buttons on your programmer are explained in its manual.
- Turn therapy on and off.
- Check status of neurostimulator battery.
- Press up or down arrows for menu options. Press left or right arrows to see more choices.
- Increase or decrease therapy settings.
- Turn programmer on and off.
What Do the Symbols Mean?
Your manual explains the symbols displayed on the screen. The chart is a quick guide to common symbols on the DBS Patient Programmer used with Activa neurostimulators.
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Therapy is on. |
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Therapy is off. |
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Battery is okay. |
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Battery is close to depletion. |
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Call your clinician. The neurostimulator battery is close to depletion. Therapy will not be available soon. |
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Call your clinician immediately to schedule replacement surgery. The neurostimulator battery is depleted and your neurostimulator is no longer delivering therapy. |
Manuals and Quick Guides
See the manual for your programmer for information about use, maintenance, and troubleshooting. If you have an Activa neurostimulator, you will also have an illustrated quick guide.
Where to get the manuals and guides:
- Your clinician will give you the printed manual for your programmer
- You can get a replacement copy by calling Medtronic Patient Services at (800) 510-6735
- You can also view or save the following electronic versions on your computer
Activa
Medtronic DBS Patient Programmer Patient Manual (9 MB)
DBS Activa PC Patient Programmer Quick Guide (1.7 MB)
DBS Activa RC Patient Programmer Quick Guide (1.7 MB)
DBS Activa SC Patient Programmer Quick Guide (3.5 MB)
Kinetra
Access Therapy Controller User Manual (3 MB)
Soletra
Access Review Therapy Controller User Manual (1 MB)
Information on this site should not be used as a substitute for talking with your doctor. Always talk with your doctor about diagnosis and treatment information.
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