In the case of Medtronic's brain pacemakers, they can work all the time after implantation, but they need to be powered by a battery, which is typically buried in the chest and is connected to the electrodes implanted in the brain through wires embedded behind the ear. There are two general types of batteries, non-rechargeable and rechargeable. Non-rechargeable batteries have a certain capacity and generally last about five years. When the battery runs out, the stimulator buried under the skin in the chest can be replaced, while the electrodes already implanted in the brain do not need to be replaced. And the rechargeable battery can be recharged repeatedly for 15 years. Medtronic's Brain Pacemaker RC has the longest FDA/CE/NMPA-approved lifespan of any brain pacemaker. A quarter of a million Medtronic rechargeable batteries have been implanted worldwide. There has not been a single case of battery-related failure.
After the pacemaker is implanted, the stimulation parameters can be adjusted according to changes in the patient's condition. The stimulation parameters set at the time of surgery are not optimal for long-term treatment. Doctors usually ask patients to adjust the parameters three or six months after surgery, and after this parameter is adjusted, it may not need to be adjusted for two to three years. In this way, as long as the battery power is sufficient, the brain pacemaker can remain in use.