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Abbott Laboratories

Neuromodulation, DBS, spinal cord stimulation, medical devices

USpublic~114,000 staffest. 1888abbott.com (opens abbott.com)Checked 10 Oct

The brief

Analyst view
  • Abbott acquired St. Jude Medical in 2017 for $25B, entering neuromodulation. Now builds DBS and SCS.
  • Liberta RC is smallest rechargeable DBS approved, needs 10 recharges/year, compatible with NeuroSphere virtual clinic.
  • No. 1 in SCS market post-acquisition; competes with Medtronic and Boston Scientific in DBS.

Technical approach

As reported
Remote care

NeuroSphere virtual clinic

Platform lets DBS patients adjust settings remotely. Addresses fact that many travel >150 miles for specialist.

Battery efficiency

Longer recharge intervals

Liberta RC needs only 10 recharges/year, fewest of any rechargeable DBS device.

Stimulation

Targeted electrical therapy

DBS targets subthalamic nucleus or globus pallidus for movement disorders; SCS targets spinal cord.

Primer