Queensland Brain Institute implements new wireless technology for anorexia sufferers

Queensland’s world leaders in deep brain stimulation have come up with a genius way to use wireless technology so brain implant patients can be treated from anywhere in world.

Queensland’s world leaders in deep brain stimulation have come up with a genius way to use wireless technology so brain implant patients can be treated from anywhere in the world without having to see their doctor.

Scientists at the Queensland Brain Institute at The University of Queensland have been putting brain stimulation implants into Parkinson’s patients for years and recently had overwhelming success with a trial treating OCD patients. They are currently trialling the implants on sufferers of anorexia.

Now thanks to a collaboration of the state’s top brains, implant patients can be managed remotely.

The Queensland Brain Institute is currently trialling new wireless implant technology on sufferers of anorexia. This new technology will allow patients to be treated remotely via a wireless brain implant.

QBI Professor Peter Silburn AM said his team, together with Neurosciences Queensland and Abbott Neuromodulation have developed a global-first remote care platform which allows patients to access treatment from anywhere.

“By creating the world’s first integrated and completely wireless remote care platform, we have removed the need for patients to see their doctor in person to have their device adjusted,” Professor Silburn said.

Electrodes are surgically inserted into the brain and electrical stimulation is delivered by a pacemaker which alters brain function — providing therapeutic relief and improving quality of life.

This digital platform allows clinicians to monitor patients remotely, as well as adjust the device to treat and alleviate symptoms in real time.

“We have shown that it is possible to minimise disruption to patients’ and carers’ lifestyles by increasing accessibility to the service, saving time and money,” Professor Silburn said.

“There are no cures for many of these conditions which often require lifelong treatment and care, so for those people the device would be a game-changer.”

He said the system also fostered increasingly personalised treatment and data-driven clinical decisions, which could improve patient care.

“During the study, we established the platform safety, security, usability and effectiveness and optimised its features using patient feedback in a biodesign process,” Professor Silburn said.

“In the initial weeks of a limited market release, we conducted 858 remote care sessions and maintained a robust and high success rate.”

While the team started working on this digital health solution before COVID-19, the pandemic elevated the need for remote care platforms, particularly for older people and those living in remote areas with increased travel difficulties.

“Through the pandemic patients have become more familiar with telemedicine and far more willing to adapt to platforms that connect them remotely to their healthcare teams,’’ Professor Silburn said.

The researchers are confident the technology could be adapted for many other conditions in the future.