Skip to main content

InterStim™ Systems

THE RELIEF YOU’VE BEEN WAITING FOR

When lifestyle changes and medications fail, Medtronic bladder control therapy delivered by the InterStim™ systems can help. This therapy is simple and discreet, and it delivers the kind of relief that lets you enjoy the activities you love without a second thought.

Why Are Medtronic Therapies Different?

COMMUNICATION IS CRITICAL

Evidence suggests that breakdowns in the bladder-brain communication pathway are the root cause of OAB and non-obstructive urinary retention.1-3 While more conservative therapies focus on the bladder muscles, Medtronic therapies target the nerves, which is thought to help restore normal bladder function.*

Graphic depicting the process of when the kidneys produce urine, they send it to the bladder, and once the bladder is half full, it stimulates the nerves which then signal to the brain the empty the bladder. 
  • Targets the nerves that control your bladder to help it function normally again
  • 85% of people using the InterStim™ system achieved success in the first year†,4 
  • 3X greater improvements in quality of life compared to medications6
  • Lets you see if it works before you and your doctor decide
  • Allows you to get full-body MRI scans if you need them
  • Hundreds of thousands of people have experienced relief with this safe, FDA-approved and minimally invasive therapy

THE CHOICE IS YOURS

Medtronic bladder control therapy delivered by the InterStim™ systems offers recharge-free and rechargeable options, so you can choose the right one for your lifestyle.  

  • The recharge-free InterStim™ II system may be best for most people because it’s simple, convenient, and low maintenance.
  • The rechargeable InterStim™ Micro system is smaller, lasts longer, and requires regular recharging sessions.

Compare The Interstim™ II And Interstim™ Micro Systems For Medtronic Bladder Control

INTERSTIM™ II SYSTEM

Medtronic InterStim II System next to a quarter to represent size.

Features

  • Recharge-free battery
  • Battery Life: Approximately 5-6 years§
  • Device Size: 12.5 cm3
  • No routine maintenance
  • SureScan™ MRI technology allows 1.5 and 3T full-body scans

Components/Accessories

  • Smart programmer, communicator

INTERSTIM™ MICRO SYSTEM

Medtronic bowel and bladder control InterStim Micro system next to a quarter showing the size comparison.

Features

  • Rechargeable battery with OverdriveTM technology
  • Battery Life: up to 15 years
  • Device Size: 2.8 cm3
  • Weekly recharging of 20 minutes||
  • SureScan™ MRI technology allows 1.5 and 3T full-body scans

Components/Accessories

  • Smart programmer, communicator, recharger, charging dock, recharging belt

Read the Medtronic bladder control therapy brochure


* Defined as a 50% or greater reduction in your troublesome bladder symptoms.

† Numbers reflect completers analysis defined as patients with diary data at baseline and 12 months (n=220). Clinical success was 82% at 12 months using the modified completers analysis (subjects who either had a baseline and 12 month evaluation or withdrew early due to device-related reasons and are considered failures).

‡ Under certain conditions. See approved labeling for details. Patients with InterStimTM SureScanTM MRI leads only.

§ Battery life may vary based on therapy settings.

|| Under standard patient therapy settings and appropriate recharger placement.

¶ Reflects OAB patients.

# These patient groups were analyzed based on the treatment they were assigned: incomplete data was counted as ”failures.” Another analysis reported 61% of people achieved success with InterStim, compared to 42% who used medications.

** Restored bladder function is defined as a measurable reduction in urinary frequency and/or urinary incontinence episodes following treatment.


  1. Dasgupta R, Critchley HD, Dolan RJ, Fowler CJ. Changes in brain activity following sacral neuromodulation for urinary retention. J Urol. 2005;174:2268–2272.
  2. Griffiths D, Derbyshire S, Stenger A, Resnick N. Brain control of normal and overactive bladder. J Urol. 2005;174:1862–1867.
  3. Griffiths D, Tadic SD. Bladder control, urgency, and urge incontinence: evidence from functional brain imaging. Neurourol Urodyn. 2008;27(6):466–474.
  4. Noblett K, Siegel S, Mangel J, et al. Results of a prospective, multicenter study evaluating quality of life, safety, and efficacy of sacral neuromodulation at twelve months in subjects with symptoms of overactive bladder. Neurourol Urodyn. 2016 Feb;35(2):246-51.
  5. National Association for Continence. Overactive Bladder. www.nafc.org/overactive-bladder(opens new window). Accessed November 21, 2016.
  6. Siegel S, Noblett K, Mangel J, et al. Results of a prospective, randomized, multicenter study evaluating sacral neuromodulation with InterStim® Therapy compared to standard medical therapy at 6-months in subjects with mild symptoms of overactive bladder. Neurourol Urodyn. 2015;34:224–230.
  7. Foster RT Sr, Anoia EJ, Webster GD, Amundsen CL. In patients undergoing neuromodulation for intractable urge incontinence a reduction in 24-hr pad weight after the initial test stimulation best predicts long-term patient satisfaction. Neurourol Urodyn. 2007;26:213–217.
  8. Visco A, Brubaker L, Richter HE, et al. Anticholinergic therapy vs. onabotulinumtoxinA for urgency urinary incontinence. New Engl J Med. 2012;367(19):1803–1813.
  9. Peters KM, Carrico DJ, et al. “Randomized trial of percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation versus Sham efficacy in the treatment of overactive bladder syndrome: results from the SUmiT trial.” J Urol. 2010;183(4): 1438-1443.
  10. Peters KM, Macdiarmid SA, Wooldridge LS, et al. Randomized trial of percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation versus extended-release tolterodine: results from the overactive bladder innovative therapy trial. J Urol. 2009;182(3):1055-1061.
linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram