Medical Implants

Deep brain stimulation is presented as an implanted technology with clear therapeutic value for Parkinson's disease. A person with severe Parkinson’s symptoms may reasonably consider a tested brain implant with a successful track record if it enables a relatively normal life. Accepting a medical implant requires trust in the company, device, clinicians, and stimulation algorithm. Source-code escrow is proposed as a safeguard for commercial implant users if a company fails. Implanted medical devices can make patients dependent on hardware, software, maintenance, and the survival of the company providing the device. Unsupported electronic eye implants are used as an example of long-term risks when implant companies fail. Medical contexts create the hardest implant questions because health benefits may justify accepting device risks.