InterStim™ system use and maintenance

For bladder and bowel control

From maintenance and programming to battery care, here’s what you need to know about your InterStim™  system.

Supporting bladder and bowel control patients

Here is the information you need to stay informed, connected, and encouraged as you find relief — and get back your freedom.

Select the type of neurostimulator you’re using:

InterStim™ recharge-free system

For bladder and bowel control

This information applies to two InterStim™ models: InterStim™ II and InterStim X™ systems.

Neurostimulator

The neurostimulator generates gentle stimulation to your sacral nerves for symptom relief.

Medtronic InterStim X System which provides relief for OAB

Smart programmer

The smart programmer enables you to adjust and manage your therapy.


Communicator

The communicator connects the smart programmer with your neurostimulator.

Communicator for the InterStim™ system

About the InterStim X™ My Therapy programmer app

Personalized care to meet your needs

Get familiar with the smart programmer app that helps you manage your InterStim X™ therapy:

  • Check your stimulation level
  • Adjust your stimulation
  • Turn stimulation on or off
  • Change programs* (at your clinician’s recommendation)
  • Activate MRI mode and check MRI eligibility
Close-up of smart programmer with annotations for its many features

How to use your smart programmer 

This quick video covers everything you need to know, including how to adjust your stimulation and change programs* as directed by your clinician.

Every time you use the InterStim X™ My Therapy app, you’ll need to use the communicator to connect the smart programmer with the neurostimulator.

Notifications

You may receive pop-up notifications on the programmer while using the InterStim X™ My Therapy app. If you have questions about a notification that does not appear here, check your InterStim X™ My Therapy app programming guide. If you still have a question, contact your clinician.

TIP: If a notification disappears before you have time to read it, that means the error fixed itself. If any of these issues continue, contact your clinician.

Close-up of Smart Programmer indicating that the device is not responding

Device not responding

Your neurostimulator is not responding. Reposition your communicator over your neurostimulator and tap “retry.”

Close-up of smart programmer communicator with a message indicating the battery is low

Communicator low battery

Your communicator needs to be charged. Plug it into the charger. Remember, you can’t use the communicator while it is recharging.

Resources

Learn more about using your communicator, programmer, and My Therapy app. Check your app to confirm which guide to download.

InterStim™ II system InterStim X™ system
pdf Symptom Diary (.pdf)

Record your symptoms to help your clinician understand your condition.

125KB

InterStim™ Micro rechargeable system

For bladder and bowel control

Close-up of the InterStim™ Micro next to a quarter

Neurostimulator

Generates stimulation for your therapy

Smart Programmer Screen

Smart programmer

Allows you and your healthcare provider to manage your therapy

Program Communicator

Communicator

Connects the smart programmer with your neurostimulator

Interstim Micro Charger Device

Recharger

Recharges the neurostimulator in about 20 minutes during one weekly session*

Interstim Micro-Charging Dock

Charging dock

Supplies the recharger with power

Interstim Micro-Recharger Belt

Recharger belt

Holds the recharger in position during the recharging session

About the InterStim™ Micro My Therapy programmer app

Personalized care to meet your needs

Get familiar with the smart programmer app that helps you manage your InterStim™ Micro therapy:

  • Check your stimulation level
  • Adjust your stimulation
  • Turn stimulation on or off
  • Change programs* (at your clinician’s recommendation)
  • Activate MRI mode and check MRI eligibility
A close-up of the Smart Programmer screen with annotations for its different functionalities

Interstim™ Micro My Therapy app

Micro My Therapy Icon

Use this app to:

  • Check your neurostimulator battery level
  • Adjust your stimulation
  • Turn stimulation on or off
  • Change therapy programs (as directed by your healthcare provider)*
  • Check MRI eligibility
  • Activate MRI mode

Every time you use the Interstim™ Micro My Therapy app, you’ll need to use the communicator to connect the smart programmer with the neurostimulator.

Recharger app

Recharger Application Icon

Use this app to:

  • View the neurostimulator battery level while charging
  • View the recharger battery level
  • View recharger to neurostimulator connection
  • Change charging speed

How to use your smart programmer 

This quick video covers everything you need to know, including how to adjust your stimulation and change programs as directed by your clinician.

How to use your recharger 

Watch this video to see exactly how to recharge your neurostimulator.

Notifications

You may receive pop-up notifications on the programmer while using the Interstim™ Micro My Therapy app. If you have questions about a notification that does not appear here, see the user guide (entitled “Patient Therapy App for Sacral Neuromodulation Therapy”) or contact Medtronic patient services at 800-510-6735. Patient services is available Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Central Time.

TIP: If a notification disappears before you have time to read it, that means the error fixed itself. If any of these issues continue, contact your clinician.

A close-up of the Communicator screen indicating that a connection has been lost

Communicator connection lost

Your smart programmer has lost connection with your communicator. Make sure the communicator is fully charged. Then reposition it over the neurostimulator and tap retry on the programmer.

Close-up of Smart Programmer indicating that the device is not responding

Device not responding

Your neurostimulator is not responding. Reposition your communicator over your neurostimulator and tap “retry.”

Close-up of smart programmer communicator with a message indicating the battery is low

Communicator low battery

Your communicator needs to be charged. Plug it into the charger. Remember, you can’t use the communicator while it is recharging.

Resources

pdf Therapy Guide (.pdf)

Learn more about using your smart programmer, recharging your therapy, and more.

8.8MB

pdf Symptom Diary (.pdf)

Record your symptoms to help your healthcare provider understand your condition.

125KB

Contact us

Have more questions?
Don’t hesitate to reach out.

Patient services specialist:
(800) 510-6735

Find a doctor
Portrait of a female physician in a hospital setting
*

Under standard patient therapy settings and appropriate recharger placement.