Medtronic Kinetra Dual Program Neurostimulator for Deep Brain Stimulation, model 7428. Rx only. Medtronic, Inc., 710 Medtronic Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55432-5604 USA. The dual program model 7428 Kinetra Neurostimulator generates electrical signals that are transmitted to the brain. These signals are delivered from the neurostimulator to the brain via DBS extension or DBS leads. The neurostimulator consists of electronic circuitry and a battery, which are hermetically sealed in a titanium case. The operation of the neurostimulator is supported by a clinician programmer, a therapy controller, and a control magnet.

A subset of Kinetra implantable neurostimulators may experience a failure of wire connections between the electronic hybrid circuit and battery which may lead to sudden cessation of therapy. Sudden cessation of therapy can result in the immediate return or worsening of underlying symptoms due to the progression of the disease state.

Letter dated July 2006. Recommendations were made to Health Care Providers of the following: 1.Consider the potential for this anomaly if your patient present with a device in a POR state. 2. Consider informing your patients of this risk and advise them to seek attention immediately if they experience a return of pre-implant or more advanced symptoms. 3. Determine whether device replacement is warranted based upon consultation with your patient, review of the patient''s medical history and consideration of the relative risks of abrupt cessation of stimulation versus the risk of a device replacement surgical procedure. 4. Report any malfunction, removal and replacement to Medtronic and FDA suing the medical device reporting system. 5. Acknowledge this communication using the reply form enclosed.