This device, which contains a battery and microelectronic circuitry, is surgically implanted under the skin near the collarbone. An insulated wire that is surgically passed under the skin of the head, neck and shoulder to connect the lead to the implanted pulse generator. External components of the therapy include a console programmer and the patient's hand-held magnet. The Itrel II device generates mild electrical pulses that are delivered by the extension and lead to the targeted cells of the thalamus. These pulses can be non-invasively adjusted by neurologist, Dr. Beric from a console programmer and transmitted painlessly via radio telemetry to the implanted Itrel II device.
Patients use the magnet to switch the stimulator between high, low and off settings.
Physician researchers have found that the electrical pulses block faulty brain signals that cause tremor. Certain nerve cells become overactive to the point of causing uncontrollable muscle excitation in tremor patients and electrical stimulation interferes with this abnormal activity. Kelly and Rezai use a stereotactic headframe and imaging techniques to map the brain and localize the target. The lead is inserted through a small opening in the bone and implanted in the thalamus, deep within the brain. If the patient's tremor is suppressed during this test stimulation, the Tremor Control System is implanted.