Altaviva™: Safe, Effective Tibial Nerve Therapy with Long-Lasting Power
Meet Altaviva™, the next generation of tibial neuromodulation for urge urinary incontinence. Placed just under the skin near the ankle in a quick outpatient procedure, Altaviva starts working the day you go home and runs automatically—no daily steps required.
A rechargeable power system designed for long life (15 years) and MRI compatibility make it a practical, future-proof choice. For many patients who want a safe, effective option without pills or frequent clinic sessions, Altaviva sets a new standard in convenience and confidence.
Comparing Implantable Tibial Neuromodulation options
| What patients care about | Medtronic AltavivaNew | Valencia eCoin® | BlueWind Revi® |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it treats | FDA-approved for urge urinary incontinence (UUI). | FDA-approved for UUI. | FDA De Novo for urgency incontinence (with/without urgency). |
| Where the implant sits | Small device under the skin near the inner ankle (above fascia). | Coin-shaped implant near the ankle. (above fascia)(~23 mm × 3 mm). | Tiny implant near the ankle. (below fascia) (~3 cm × 3 mm). |
| Procedure day | Minimally invasive, outpatient; no sedation or imaging reported. Therapy is on when you go home. | Office / local anesthetic, ~20 min. Activation visit about 2–4 weeks later. | Outpatient / local anesthetic; single brief procedure. Activation visit about 2–4 weeks later. |
| Daily involvement | None—therapy runs automatically. | None—device delivers scheduled 30-min sessions automatically (no wearable). | Yes—run 30–60 min sessions with a small external wearable (often once or twice daily as prescribed). |
| Power & battery | Rechargeable; designed ~15-year battery life. Brief top-ups (~30 min); no daily charger routine. | Internal battery, non-rechargeable; typical life about 1–3 years (then device replacement). | No internal battery—implant is powered by the external wearable; nothing to replace inside the body. |
| MRI | MRI-compatible (follow device conditions). | MR-Conditional (see label conditions). | MR-Conditional implant; external wearable/charger are kept out of MRI room. |
| When you feel therapy | Immediately after implant (active at discharge). | After the activation appointment once the incision heals. | During each at-home session with the wearable. |
| External gear | None for therapy (occasional short recharge). | None. | Wearable + charger (and app/hub for support). |
| Key clinical results (high-level) | TITAN-2 pivotal underpins FDA approval; company reports significant reductions in UUI episodes (full peer-reviewed numbers pending publication). | Pivotal + 24-month data show ~79% responders (≥50% fewer leaks) among completers; durable effect reported. | OASIS study: ~78–82% responders at 12 months; ~79% at 24 months; some patients achieved ≥75% reduction or consecutive dry days. |
| Who it may suit (examples) | Wants a set-and-forget implant with no daily tasks and very long designed battery life. | Wants automatic therapy without a wearable, and is comfortable with future battery replacement when needed. | Wants to control sessions personally, avoid future battery-replacement surgeries, and doesn’t mind using a wearable. |
| Label/coverage nuances | — | Indication commonly references use after conservative therapy/PTNS context (insurer policies may mirror this). | De Novo label does not require prior failure of conservative options; check plan-specific coverage. |
| Contraindications & safety notes (examples) | All implants carry risks such as soreness, bruising/bleeding, incision or device issues, infection, or lack of benefit. MRI use follows device-specific conditions. Revi’s external components are MR-unsafe in scanner rooms; some labels list population-specific exclusions (e.g., pregnancy). Patients should review the full Instructions for Use (IFU) and discuss personal risks with their clinician. | ||
Important: This summary is for education only and doesn’t replace medical advice. Features/indications are based on current manufacturer and regulatory information as of Sept 2025 and may change. Ask your clinician which option fits your diagnosis, medical history, and insurance coverage.
How Altaviva compares to other therapy options
Lifestyle & pelvic-floor Physical Therapy – first-line for many patients.
Medications – sometimes help but may have intolerable side effects such as dry mouth/constipation, cognitive risk and/or not affordable .
Office-based percutaneous tibial stimulation (PTNM) – weekly 30 minute sessions where a small needle is placed in the tibial nerve at the lower leg. The needle is stimulated externally. Although effective, the therapy requires recurring clinic visits making compliance tough and just weekly or monthly stimulation might not achieve enough efficacy.
Botox® – injections into the bladder muscle that need to be repeated every ~6 months.
Sacral neuromodulation – a pacemeker is placed in the upper buttock area; effective for many but requires 2 phases of procedures and sedative and/or general anesthesia.
Altaviva gives another option: a lower leg implant that is activated immediately, with a 15-year battery life and automatic stimulation that can be customized to optimize results.
