Lee Health is the First Health System in Florida to Offer Specialized Treatment for Patients with Movement Disorders

Abbott’s Liberta RC DBS System is the world’s smallest rechargeable system with remote programming capabilities to treat essential tremors and other movement disorders

(Fort Myers, Fla. – Aug. 14, 2024) --- The signature of Elaine Monn on her annual Christmas cards had an elegance that family and friends marveled at every holiday season. She feared her signature script was gone forever when tremors took control of her hands, ruining the former teacher’s well-known attribute. Thanks to a new groundbreaking surgery offered at Lee Health, she can do that, and so much more.

The health system is thrilled to announce that it is the first in Florida to implant a small rechargeable battery with remote programming capabilities to treat patients with movement disorders. 

The implementation of the Liberta RC DBS System puts Lee Health at the forefront for the treatment of movement disorders and Parkinson’s Disease. The battery is an Implantable Pulse Generator (IPG), which sends electrical stimulation to the brain to interrupt abnormal signals that are causing symptoms. Deep Brain Stimulation therapy helps patients achieve more control over their symptoms. The Rechargeable (RC) battery brings these components together in a way that hasn’t been done before.

Monn knows firsthand how much this will help other patients with essential tremors and other movement disorders.

“I was the first patient at Lee Health to use the battery and it has made a huge difference for me,” Monn said. “It has given me my life back. I couldn’t do things like write, pour water into a glass, or sign checks. Simple things I took for granted like putting makeup on became impossible. Dr. George Mandybur listened to my concerns and made me feel comfortable. I have followed his career and was thrilled when he came to Lee Health. Everyone with movement disorders should take advantage of this unique opportunity. It will change their life.”

The Liberta RC DBS System offers the longest time between charges of any DBS technology, allowing patients to recharge the device as few as 10 times each year. It uses a wireless charger that is placed over the device and lasts for 37 days on nominal settings.

“This is the most promising way to treat patients with movement disorders and we are excited to be able to offer this exciting new technology to the Southwest Florida community and beyond,” said Lee Health neurosurgeon and leader of the Liberta RC DBS System initiative Dr. George Mandybur. “Florida has the second highest number of patients with Parkinson’s Disease. This battery is going to make a world of difference for our patients with all types of movement disorders.”

Dr. Mandybur is one of the most accomplished neurosurgeons in the country. He has performed more than 1,000 DBS procedures and has been a leader in both clinical practices and advancing research on DBS therapy. 

The battery is compatible with Abbott's proprietary NeuroSphere™ Virtual Clinic, a first-of-its-kind connected care technology that allows patients to communicate with their doctors, ensure proper settings and functionality, and receive new treatment settings remotely without stepping foot into the doctor's office. 

The Liberta RC DBS System is about the size of a smartwatch and about 31% smaller than other commonly used implantable, rechargeable DBS devices currently available on the market. All these features give patients more control over their symptom and care management.

To learn more about the Liberta RC DBS System and movement disorders, please visit www.leehealth.org.