Abbott announces the launch in Spain of the NeuroSphere Virtual Clinic: the first technology that allows patients with neuromodulation implants to communicate with their doctors remotely, to ensure proper adjustments and functionality, and to adjust therapy as needed. The NeuroSphere Virtual Clinic has the potential to increase the optimal treatment for patients suffering from chronic pain or movement disorders who live at great distances from their healthcare staff, or who have difficulties in getting to the doctor’s office, such as COVID-19 or medical problems. of mobility.
Abbott’s NeuroSphere Virtual Clinic gives patients the flexibility and comfort of receiving care anywhere* by connecting with their doctor through an app with secure video calling and integrated scheduling system, now available on the Abbott Patient Controller. The NeuroSphere Virtual Clinic allows the clinical team to modify therapeutic settings remotely to the neurostimulation device using the clinical programmer application with a new, intuitive and secure remote care connection. This advance will give patients security in their care and allow them to adapt their therapy to their convenience and lifestyle.
The Germans Trias i Pujol University Hospital was the first hospital in Spain to implement this technology. “Our recent experience with the pandemic has shown us the usefulness of remote care in the control of patients in these circumstances, especially in highly specialized pathologies.” Said Dr. Ramiro Álvarez, head of neurology at the hospital’s Movement Disorders Functional Surgery Unit. “But regardless of these situations, Neurosphere offers multiple advantages. It saves time and resources when traveling for patients who are far from their Reference Center. And importantly, it also offers the ability to safely control devices in emergency situations far from your facility; Let us basically think of a situation where the patient urgently requires a diagnostic check or modifications in their therapy, such as prior to a diagnostic examination or surgery. In this way, we allow the patient to continue in their usual environment, increasing their comfort and the management of their resources.”
The NeuroSphere Virtual Clinic can also be useful for patients in urban and rural areas with difficult or inadequate access to their doctor. Without alternative digital health solutions, these patients are at risk of postponing or discarding needed care.1 NeuroSphere brings the convenience and flexibility of remote care to neuromodulation therapies, achieving more benefits for chronic pain and movement disorder patients with Abbott devices.
“Patients who have used the NeuroSphere Virtual Clinic often comment on how it has changed their lives, and we are excited that it can be received with the same enthusiasm by patients with chronic pain and Movement Disorders in Spain. The NeuroSphere Virtual Clinic expands the practice beyond the hospital or clinic, and optimizes therapy management for patients who can receive care from the comfort of home,” said Pedro Malha, Vice President of Neuromodulation at Abbott. “It is an exciting step to bring therapy closer to people who live far from their doctors, who have difficulty accessing health care, or who cannot go to the doctor due to personal or economic circumstances, because of the flexibility of their caregivers or because of the pandemic. .”
Abbott’s Virtual NeuroSphere clinic is compatible with Abbott’s neuromodulation devices, including the Infinity DBS system for patients with Movement Disorders such as Parkinson’s and Essential Tremor; and the Proclaim systems for patients living with chronic pain. This integration across Abbott technology highlights the company’s patient-centric development, combining neuroscience with innovative technology in order to not only achieve symptom relief, but also improve the quality of life for patients with neurological disorders. .
*Anywhere with an internet connection via Wi-Fi or mobile data and a patient controller with sufficient battery power.
For safety information, please visit the web pages for the devices Infinity DBS, Proclaim XR y Proclaim DRG .
About Neuromodulation
Neuromodulation is an essential treatment in which electrical discharges are delivered to specific areas to alter neural activity. Neuromodulation is often recommended for patients suffering from chronic pain and certain types of movement disorders, such as Parkinson’s Disease and Essential Tremor. It is estimated that 8 million Spaniards live with chronic pain2while 150,000 people live with Parkinson’s and 10,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in Spain3and 400,000 people live with Essential Tremor4.
About Abbott
Abbott is a leading global health care company that helps people live rich lives at every stage of life. Our portfolio of technologies ranges from health care, with diagnostic systems, medical devices, nutritional products and medicines. Our 109,000 colleagues work in more than 160 countries. Connect with us at www.abbott.comand LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/company/abbott-/on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/Abbott and on Twitter @AbbottNews.