Devices › Stimulator, electrical, implanted, for parkinsonian tremor
Device brand name · Stimulator electrical implanted for parkinsonian tremor
Activa: medical device reports filed with FDA
30,012 reports name it, 2001–2026. Manufacturer given most often on reports: Medtronic Puerto Rico Operations. Product code MHY.
- 30,012
- device reports naming the brand
- 0.1% of all MAUDE reports · about 1,193 a year
- 1,112
- reports, 12 months to August 2026
- 1,287 in the 12 months before
- 60.8%
- classified as malfunction
- 50.2% across the product code
- 0.6%
- classified as death, as reported
- 179 reports · not verified by FDA
FDA's MAUDE database holds 30,012 reports that name the brand "Activa" (stimulator electrical implanted for parkinsonian tremor), received between May 2001 and August 2026; the manufacturer given most often on reports is Medtronic Puerto Rico Operations. Spellings of one product vary from report to report.
1,112 reports arrived in the 12 months to August 2026, down 14% from 1,287 in the 12 months before. FDA releases MAUDE data monthly; reports can arrive months after an event, so the newest months grow in later releases. The event types recorded are malfunction (60.8%), injury (38.6%) and death (0.6%); across all stimulator, electrical, implanted, for parkinsonian tremor reports (product code MHY) death is recorded in 1.4% and malfunction in 50.2%. Event type is the reporter's classification of the report, not a verified outcome.
The device problems coded most often are high impedance (12.9%), device operates differently than expected (11.7%) and battery problem (10.1%). The patient problems coded most often are shaking/tremors, therapeutic response, decreased and complaint, ill-defined. FDA states that "MDR data alone cannot be used to establish rates of events, evaluate a change in event rates over time or compare event rates between devices. The number of reports cannot be interpreted or used in isolation to reach conclusions about the existence, severity, or frequency of problems associated with devices." It adds that the reporting system "has limitations, including the potential submission of incomplete, inaccurate, untimely, unverified, or biased data."
Reports by month, five years
Reports by the month FDA received them. FDA releases MAUDE data monthly; reports can arrive months after an event, so the newest months grow in later releases.
By year received
Event type and report source
Event type, as classified on the report
Who filed the report
Grey bar: all 53,252 reports carrying product code MHY. Event type is the filer's classification and is not verified by FDA.
Device problems coded
| Device problem (FDA code) | Reports | Share | Share across product code |
|---|---|---|---|
| High impedance | 3,878 | 12.9% | 13.8% |
| Device operates differently than expectedthe device behaved unexpectedly | 3,502 | 11.7% | 9.4% |
| Battery problema problem with the battery | 3,023 | 10.1% | 7.2% |
| Failure to deliver energy | 2,793 | 9.3% | 5.7% |
| Charging problem | 2,687 | 9% | 4.8% |
| Connection problema connection problem | 2,648 | 8.8% | 5.4% |
| Material integrity problema problem with the device material | 2,232 | 7.4% | 4.5% |
| Low impedance | 1,936 | 6.5% | 4.9% |
| Communication or transmission problemthe device could not communicate or transmit | 1,878 | 6.3% | 3.7% |
| Inappropriate/inadequate shock/stimulation | 1,787 | 6% | 4.6% |
| Insufficient device problem information | 1,649 | 5.5% | 5.4% |
| Breakthe device broke | 1,458 | 4.9% | 4.6% |
| Device displays incorrect message | 1,396 | 4.7% | 2.7% |
| Unintended collision | 1,034 | 3.4% | 2.2% |
| Premature discharge of battery | 942 | 3.1% | 2.7% |
| Migration or expulsion of device | 924 | 3.1% | 2.7% |
| Electromagnetic compatibility problem | 909 | 3% | 2.4% |
| Low battery | 768 | 2.6% | 1.8% |
| Improper or incorrect procedure or method | 764 | 2.5% | 1.2% |
| Failure to interrogate | 719 | 2.4% | 1.7% |
FDA's device problem codes as entered on the report; one report can carry several. Generic codes such as "no apparent adverse event" are left out.
Patient problems coded
| Patient problem (FDA code) | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Shaking/tremors | 2,745 | 9.1% |
| Therapeutic response, decreased | 2,744 | 9.1% |
| Complaint, ill-defined | 2,581 | 8.6% |
| Therapeutic effects, unexpected | 2,298 | 7.7% |
| Electric shockan electric shock | 1,772 | 5.9% |
| Ambulation or postural difficulties | 1,530 | 5.1% |
| Painpain, site not specified | 1,048 | 3.5% |
| Dysphasia | 854 | 2.8% |
| Falla fall | 712 | 2.4% |
| Cognitive changes | 702 | 2.3% |
| Muscular rigidity | 688 | 2.3% |
| Discomfortdiscomfort | 607 | 2% |
| Tingling | 515 | 1.7% |
| Undesired nerve stimulation | 482 | 1.6% |
| Neurological deficit/dysfunction | 415 | 1.4% |
Patient problem codes are present mainly in reports filed since 2019 and are often blank.
In context
| Measure | Activa | Product code MHY | All MAUDE reports |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reports | 30,012 | 53,252 | 26,136,888 |
| Share of that pool | — | 56.4% | 0.1% |
| Classified as death, per 1,000 reports | 6 | 14 | 9 |
| Classified as injury | 38.6% | 47.9% | 36.2% |
| Classified as malfunction | 60.8% | 50.2% | 62.3% |
| Filed by the manufacturer | 99.9% | 99.6% | 94.9% |
Shares are of reports, not of devices in use. FDA states that "MDR data alone cannot be used to establish rates of events, evaluate a change in event rates over time or compare event rates between devices. The number of reports cannot be interpreted or used in isolation to reach conclusions about the existence, severity, or frequency of problems associated with devices." It adds that the reporting system "has limitations, including the potential submission of incomplete, inaccurate, untimely, unverified, or biased data."
Other brands with product code MHY
| Brand | Reports | Latest 12 months | Classified as death |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soletra | 4,710 | 12 | 4.2% |
| Percept | 4,041 | 1,239 | 0.3% |
| Implantable Neurostimulator | 6,395 | 692 | 0.3% |
| Kinetra | 2,276 | 1 | 2.1% |
| Unknown Implantable Neurostimulator | 3,843 | 0 | 2.2% |
| Infinity 7 Implantable Pulse Generator | 1,258 | 147 | 0.5% |
| 8CH Infinity DBS Lead Kit, 40cm, 0.5, B | 1,128 | 92 | 1.3% |
| Deep Brain Stimulation Lead | 754 | 0 | 3.8% |
| 8CH Infinity DBS Flex Extn Kit, 50cm, B | 738 | 142 | 0% |
| Sensight | 763 | 250 | 1.6% |
| 8CH Infinity DBS Flex Extn Kit, 60cm, B | 571 | 120 | 0% |
| Unknown Deep Brain Stimulator | 569 | 0 | 4.9% |
| Activa Pc | 409 | 0 | 1.2% |
| External Neurostimulator | 1,227 | 102 | 0.4% |
| Vercise Genus | 1,014 | 338 | 2.4% |
Ordered by report count for navigation only. FDA states that "MDR data alone cannot be used to establish rates of events, evaluate a change in event rates over time or compare event rates between devices. The number of reports cannot be interpreted or used in isolation to reach conclusions about the existence, severity, or frequency of problems associated with devices." It adds that the reporting system "has limitations, including the potential submission of incomplete, inaccurate, untimely, unverified, or biased data." FDA also states that "common products may have a higher number of adverse events due to the higher total number of people using the product."
Questions about Activa reports
How many FDA reports name Activa?
30,012 medical device reports in the openFDA MAUDE release of 28 Sep 2026, covering reports received through August 2026; 1,112 in the latest 12 months.
What kinds of events are reported?
malfunction (60.8%), injury (38.6%) and death (0.6%). "Event type" is how the report was classified when filed: death, injury, malfunction or other.
What device problems are coded?
high impedance (12.9%), device operates differently than expected (11.7%), battery problem (10.1%), failure to deliver energy (9.3%) and charging problem (9%). These are FDA's device problem codes as entered on the report.
Who files these reports?
manufacturer reports (99.9%) and voluntary reports (0%). Manufacturers and user facilities are required to report; voluntary reports come from health professionals and the public.
Do these reports show that Activa was at fault?
No. FDA states that "MDR data alone cannot be used to establish rates of events, evaluate a change in event rates over time or compare event rates between devices. The number of reports cannot be interpreted or used in isolation to reach conclusions about the existence, severity, or frequency of problems associated with devices." It adds that the reporting system "has limitations, including the potential submission of incomplete, inaccurate, untimely, unverified, or biased data." FDA adds that "a causal relationship cannot be established between product and reactions listed in a report."
How do I report a problem with a medical device?
Through FDA MedWatch (Form FDA 3500 for health professionals and consumers), or to the manufacturer. See the guide on how to report.
Where this comes from. Counts are built from the openFDA Device Adverse Event (MAUDE) bulk export released 28 Sep 2026, which holds reports FDA received through 31 Aug 2026. Brand, generic and manufacturer names are as written on the reports; product code names come from FDA's device classification. A report counts here when any device it lists carries this brand name after punctuation and capitalisation are normalised. No report narrative, lot number, patient detail or reporter identity is published. See the methodology and sources; FDA's record is authoritative, and corrections are handled within five working days.
Drug data (FAERS) through 30 Jun 2026; device data (MAUDE) through 31 Aug 2026. Not medical advice.