# US 10,441,787 B2 · Neuromodulation device

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- Number: US 10,441,787 B2
- Document ID: US10441787B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/552,475
- Filed: 2016-02-24
- Published: 2018-02-15
- Granted: 2019-10-15
- Earliest claimed: 2015-02-24
- Assignees: Galvani Bioelectronics Limited; The Johns Hopkins University
- Applicants: Galvani Bioelectronics Limited; The Johns Hopkins University
- Inventors: Brendan J. Canning; Michael John Carr; Marian Kollarik
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10441787B2

## CPC

- A61N 1/36053: {adapted for vagal stimulation (A61N1/36114 takes precedence)}
- A61F 7/007: {characterised by electric heating}
- A61N 1/0553: {Paddle shaped electrodes, e.g. for laminotomy}
- A61N 1/205: {for promoting a biological process}
- A61N 1/3601: {of respiratory organs}
- A61N 1/3611: {Respiration control (stimulating respiratory organs A61N1/3601)}
- A61N 1/36139: {with automatic adjustment}
- A61N 1/36171: {Frequency}
- A61N 1/36178: {Burst or pulse train parameters}
- A61N 5/0622: {Optical stimulation for exciting neural tissue}
- A61N 7/00: Ultrasound therapy (lithotripsy A61B17/22, A61B17/225; massage using supersonic vibration A61H23/00 {; using ultrasound for introducing media into the body A61M37/0092})
- A61P 11/00: Drugs for disorders of the respiratory system
- A61P 11/06: Antiasthmatics
- A61P 11/14: Antitussive agents
- A61P 25/02: for peripheral neuropathies
- A61P 29/00: Non-central analgesic, antipyretic or antiinflammatory agents, e.g. antirheumatic agents; Non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs [NSAID]
- A61P 43/00: Drugs for specific purposes, not provided for in groups A61P1/00-A61P41/00
- A61F 2007/0075: {using a Peltier element, e.g. near the spot to be heated or cooled}
- A61N 1/36189: {using modulation techniques}
- A61N 5/067: using laser light
- A61N 2005/0651: {Diodes}
- A61N 2007/0026: {Stimulation of nerve tissue}
- A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B)
- A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C)
- A61P: SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS

## Abstract

The invention provides devices and methods that can prevent or ameliorate bronchoconstriction. In particular, the invention provides devices and methods in which a signal is delivered to the vagus nerve or the pulmonary branches of the vagus nerves. The signal is able to treat bronchoconstriction and prevent and/or ameliorate bronchoconstriction.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An apparatus for inhibiting the neural activity of a vagal nerve of a patient, the apparatus comprising:
one or more transducers each configured to apply a signal to a vagal nerve of the patient; and
a controller coupled to the one or more transducers, the controller controlling the signal to be applied by each of the one or more transducers, so that the signal inhibits the neural activity of the vagal nerve to reduce parasympathetic tone response in the patient;
wherein, upon cessation of the signal application, the modulation in neural activity remains substantially the same as when the signal was being applied by the one or more transducers, and wherein the modulation in neural activity as a result of the one or more transducers applying the signal is substantially persistent.