Medtronic InterStim bowel control therapy patient chopping food.

More control
More freedom
More life

Imagine fewer accidents and getting back to the relationships and activities you love.
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   Important Safety Information

WHY IS THE MEDTRONIC THERAPY DIFFERENT?

COMMUNICATION IS CRITICAL

Evidence suggests that breakdowns in the bowel-brain communication pathway are a root cause of chronic fecal incontinence (FI).1 While more conservative therapies focus on the bowel and related muscles, Medtronic bowel control therapy targets the nerves that control the bowel muscles, which is thought to help restore normal bowel function.*

 

Blue and gray graphic of the bowel-brain communication pathway.

MEDTRONIC BOWEL CONTROL THERAPY DELIVERED BY THE INTERSTIM™ SYSTEMS

THE RELIEF YOU’VE BEEN WAITING FOR

When more conservative treatments fail, Medtronic bowel control therapy delivered by the InterStim™ systems can help. This therapy is simple and discreet, and it delivers the kind of relief that lets you enjoy the activities you love without a second thought.

  • Targets the nerves that control your bowel to help it function normally again
  • Clinically proven to stop or greatly reduce bowel accidents3
  • Quality of life improvements (lifestyle, ability to cope, embarrassment, and depression) were significant3
  • Lets you see if it works before you and your doctor decide
  • Allows you to get full-body MRI scans if you need them‡
  • Hundreds of thousands of people have experienced relief* with this safe, FDA-approved and minimally invasive therapy†

THE CHOICE IS YOURS

Medtronic bowel control therapy delivered by the InterStim™ systems offers recharge-free and rechargeable options, so you can choose the right one for your lifestyle.

  • The recharge-free InterStim X™ system may be best for most people; it's convenient and low maintenance.
  • The rechargeable InterStim™ Micro system is smaller, lasts longer, and requires regular recharging sessions.

KNOW YOUR OPTIONS

Compare the InterStim X™ and InterStim™ Micro systems for bowel control.

INTERSTIM X™ SYSTEM

Medtronic InterStim X System next to a quarter to represent size.

Features

  • Recharge-free battery
  • Battery life: more than 10 years§
  • Device size: 12.5 cm3
  • No routine maintenance
  • SureScan™ MRI technology allows 1.5 and 3T full-body scans when certain conditions are met‡

Components/Accessories

  • Smart programmer, communicator
Medtronic InterStim II bowel control therapy system Smart Programmer and Communicator devices.

INTERSTIM™ MICRO SYSTEM

Medtronic bowel control InterStim Micro system next to a quarter showing the size comparison.

Features

  • Rechargeable battery
  • Battery life: 15 years
  • Device size: 2.8 cm3
  • Weekly recharging in approximately 20 minutes||
  • SureScan™ MRI technology allows 1.5 and 3T full-body scans when certain conditions are met‡

Components/Accessories

  • Smart programmer, communicator, recharger, charging dock, recharging belt
Medtronic InterStim MICRO bowel control therapy system Smart Programmer, Communicator, charging dock, and recharging belt devices.

Implanting an InterStim™ system has risks similar to any surgical procedure, including swelling, bruising, bleeding, and infection. Talk with your doctor about ways to minimize these risks.

Are you Ready?

Answer a few quick questions to see if you qualify for treatment.

Take the quiz
Female Medtronic bowel control doctor who specializes in the InterStim system.

TALK TO A SPECIALIST

Speak with a doctor in your community who can help you find the right treatment.

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LASTING RELIEF, AT LAST

Illustration showing a human bowel and nearby nerves and an implanted Medtronic InterStim system.

Medtronic bladder control therapy delivered by the InterStim™ systems provides life changing relief.

  • 89% of people using it experienced long-term success3¶
  • Delivers significant and lasting improvement for people with FI

The most common adverse events experienced during clinical studies included pain at implant sites, new pain, lead migration, infection, technical or device problems, adverse change in bowel or voiding function, and undesirable stimulation or sensations. Any of these may require additional surgery or cause return of symptoms.

DISCOVER More life

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REAL PEOPLE, REAL RELIEF

Hear from people who have successfully reduced their symptoms with help from Medtronic bowel control therapy.

READ PATIENT STORIES

START YOUR JOURNEY

Bowel control problems affect millions of people. But relief is closer than you think.

SEE THE STEPS

START THE CONVERSATION

Talking about bowel control problems can be difficult. But this doctor discussion guide can help you get through it more easily.

GET THE GUIDE

WHAT IS Bowel CONTROL THERAPY?

Read a quick overview to understand your options and see if Medtronic bowel control therapy might be right for you.

READ THE BROCHURE
Female doctor who specializes in Medtronic bowel control therapy with the Interstim system talks with a patient.

VISUALIZE YOUR JOURNEY

The care pathway helps you understand all of the treatment options available for bowel control problems.

DOWNLOAD THE PATHWAY
*

Defined as 50% or greater reduction in chronic fecal incontinence episodes.

†

Data from InterStim Sales Analysis. Medtronic, Inc. December 2019.

‡

Under certain conditions. See approved labeling for details. Patients with InterStim™ SureScan MRI leads only.

§

Under expected therapy settings and telemetry use.

||

Under standard patient therapy settings and appropriate recharger placement.

Success defined as ≥ 50% reduction of episodes per week. This patient group had data at both baseline and the five-year visit. Another analysis reported 69% of people achieved success with Medtronic bowel control therapy. For this patient group, missing data at five years because of a device-related reason was counted as failure or if it was missing for non-device related reasons, the most recent data was carried forward.

1

Patton V, Wiklendt L, et al. The effect of sacral nerve stimulation on distal colonic motility in patients with fecal incontinence. Br J Surg. 2013 Jun;100(7):959–68.

2

National Association for Continence. Bowel Health. nafc.org/bowel-incontinence. Accessed June 26, 2017.

3

Hull T, Giese C, Wexner SD, et al. Long-term Durability of Sacral Nerve Stimulation Therapy for Chronic Fecal Incontinence. Dis Colon Rectum. 2013; 56(2):234–45.

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.