Medtronic Received Health Canada License for SureTune3

On June 6, 2017, Medtronic (MDT) received the Health Canada license for its SureTune3 software for DBS (deep brain stimulation) therapy. DBS therapy is a procedure that treats various neurological diseases. It uses a neurostimulator that sends electrical impulses using electrodes implanted in the brain to specific target areas in the brain.

DBS therapy received the Health Canada license to treat tremors, epilepsy, dystonia, and Parkinson’s disease. In the US, DBS therapy is currently approved to treat essential tremor, Parkinson’s disease, chronic intractable primary dystonia, and severe OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) under HDE (Humanitarian Device Exemption). In Europe, DBS therapy is approved to treat essential tremor, refractory epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, and severe OCD. In Australia, the therapy is approved to treat refractory epilepsy and severe OCD.

Boston Scientific (BSX) and St. Jude Medical are the other major medical device companies in the US that offer DBS therapy systems. St. Jude Medical was acquired by Abbott Laboratories (ABT) in January 2017. Stryker (SYK) is another big player in the neurological device market. However, Stryker hasn’t entered the deep brain stimulation therapy area yet. Investors who want to gain exposure to Medtronic can consider the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). Medtronic accounts for ~0.57% of VOO’s total holdings.

SureTune3 software is DBS therapy programming software. It enables more precise and efficient treatment and offers better patient management through its centralized data storage facility. It features Medtronic’s StealthStation technology that helps physicians streamline the workflow. For more on StealthStation technology, approved in the US in October 2016, read Key FDA Approval Helped Medtronic Advance Its Portfolio.

According to Medtronic, “SureTune3 provides patient-specific visualization of lead location and simulated volume of neural activation to help physicians make decisions on how to program —or tune —their patient’s DBS therapy.”

Brett Wall, senior vice president and president of the Brain Therapies division, Restorative Therapies Group, Medtronic, said, “As the pioneer in DBS therapy with more than 30 years of experience, Medtronic is committed to continuing to advance our technology. The latest innovations in our SureTune technology allow for more precise, efficient treatment while also improving patient management with centralized data storage for easy reference. With more than 150,000 patients implanted worldwide, we strive to continue to improve both the physician and patient experience with our solutions.”