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Vivistim - Neurostimulation Device
Vivistim is the first FDA-approved neurostimulation device to pair VNS with your rehabilitation therapy and daily activities. This pairing helps strengthen the brain connections needed to improve hand and arm function. It’s the only system of its kind, and it is proven safe and effective.
Are you one of the millions of stroke survivors who has been living with hand and arm impairment for far too long? It may be time for Paired Vagus Nerve Stimulation (Paired VNS).
Vivistim Works
2-3 times more hand and arm function compared to conventional rehab alone
High Satisfaction
98% of Vivistim users were satisfied2
FDA Approved
Approved by the FDA as safe and effective
Millions of stroke survivors suffer from continued impairment in their hands and arms at 3 to 6 months following a stroke. This is often called a recovery plateau, which means their condition stops improving. At this point, the problem isn’t in the strength of the muscles but in the brain or the nerves. Research indicates that moving past the recovery plateau requires neuroplasticity, the ability of the brain to form new neural pathways.
- Stimulation of the vagus nerve releases neuromodulators Norepinephrine, Acetylcholine, and Serotonin.
- In preclinical stroke models, VNS combined with rehab enhanced plasticity of brain motor connections that was 3-6 fold greater compared to rehab without VNS.
- Preclinical results were replicated in clinical studies - Vivistim resulted in 2-3 times the motor improvements relative to rehab alone.
Outpatient Procedure
The device is placed during a short outpatient procedure, typically by a Neurosurgeon or ENT Physician. The generator is placed under the skin of the chest and the lead is tunneled from the neck to the generator.
Clinic Therapy
The therapist uses a button to activate the neurostimulator repeatedly during rehab tasks. Most patients do not feel the stimulation.
Home Therapy
Patients can activate Vivistim at home during rehab or daily activities using a special magnet.
Vivistim works with your body during rehab therapy and daily activities.
The Vivistim System is designed to help increase neuroplasticity to help you regain your hand and arm movements.
During rehabilitation exercises and at-home activities, Vivistim is activated to gently stimulate the brain via the vagus nerve. This boost to the brain helps strengthen and create new neural pathways, like building a new bridge to bypass the damaged area.
Most users don’t feel the stimulation. What they feel is a noticeable improvement in hand and arm function over time. This allows users to achieve the goals that matter to them—preparing their food, buttoning their shirt, or playing cards.
When the Paired VNS therapy boosts the brain’s neural activity, it builds lasting connections that continue to work even when Vivistim is not in use.
What to expect after the Vivistim same-day, out-patient implant procedure:
- Within a few weeks, your doctor will likely clear you for rehab therapy.
- In-clinic rehabilitation therapy typically lasts 6 weeks, a few times per week.
- Some users reported improvement in as early as 2-3 weeks.
- Ongoing at-home use of the Vivistim System during your daily activities can lead to greater improvements in hand/arm function.
The Vivistim System pairs Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) with upper limb rehabilitation therapy, providing 2-3 times the improvement in arm and hand function compared to therapy alone. 1
- Improvements in impairment, function and quality of life
- Arm and hand improvements
- Efficacy in survivors up to 10 years post-stroke
- 2-3 times the improvement in arm & hand function
- illustration-satisfaction
- 98% patient satisfaction
- illustration-progress
- 65% of subjects saw clinically meaningful improvement in ADLs