Deep Brain Stimulation: Harry's Story
December 13, 2019Parkinson's Disease Patient Harry Roop is Tremor Free
And the first patient in the Mid-Atlantic Region to Receive the New Deep Brain Stimulation implant
Last year, when his medication was failing to tame the difficult symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, 71-year-old Harry Roop made a critical decision. He traveled more than 120 miles from his home in Salisbury to Holy Cross Hospital, to see if he was a good candidate for deep brain stimulation surgery using a brand new technology.
“Holy Cross Health’s Neuroscience Program includes specialists in neurology, neurosurgery, neuroradiology and interventional neuroradiology who work together to plan the best possible, minimally invasive treatment for patients facing neurologic diseases, such as stroke, epilepsy, spinal problems, Parkinson’s disease and others,” says Zachary Levine, MD, neurosurgeon and medical director for Neurosurgery at Holy Cross Health.
Harry—whose tremors, stiffness and rigidity no longer responded to medication—was a good candidate for a new device that was recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for patients with Parkinson’s disease and essential tremor. Both Harry and Dr. Levine were enthusiastic about the prospect of this new opportunity.
A Pioneering New Treatment Option
In October 2016, Harry became the first patient in the Mid-Atlantic region to receive the successful implant of the St. Jude Medical InfinityTM Deep Brain Stimulation System.
"You can't imagine how great it is to be able to hold a cup of coffee in your hands again. It almost seems surreal.”
- Harry Roop
The device is the latest advancement in deep brain stimulation—the implantation of a pacemaker-like device for the brain. The multi-surgery solution involves implanting electrodes in the brain and a small battery called a neuro-stimulator in the chest, and then connecting the electrodes to the battery using leads buried under the skin. The leads release electrical current that helps to reorganize disorganized signals in targeted areas of the brain.
“The design of this new directional lead system allows us to redirect the current using an iPad Mini that controls the neuro- stimulator,” explains Dr. Levine.
“It’s a user-friendly tool that lets patients control current direction or turn it off completely.”
“Harry is a walking miracle,” says Kim, Harry’s wife of 35 years. “He is fearless and never wavered in his desire to have this surgery to improve his quality of life. We are so thankful.”
“I’m so impressed with Holy Cross,” says Harry. “I’m back to work and feel optimistic about the future. It’s a whole new life.”
Watch a short video of Dr. Levine explaining this new technology