Tampa General first in region to debut device for stroke patients

Tampa General Hospital says it is the first hospital on the Gulf Coast of Florida to use a device for stroke patients experiencing loss of upper limb function.

The medical equipment, named a Vivistim, is pacemaker-like device implanted under the skin. Combined with a six-week physical therapy protocol, the device "significantly improves upper limb function for stroke patients," says Dr. Oliver Flouty, assistant professor in the Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine and a neurosurgeon at Tampa General.

Flouty performed the academic health system's first implant on Nov. 7, the hospital says.