Devices, systems, and methods for treating disease using electrical stimulation
AssigneePhagenesis Limited
InventorConor Mulrooney
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Electrical stimulation devices and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the electrical stimulation device comprises an elongated member configured to be orally or nasally inserted into a patient's pharynx. The device may further include a conductive element carried by a distal portion of the elongated member and configured to deliver stimulation energy to nearby tissue. A stiffness of the elongated member may vary along its length to facilitate insertion of the elongated member through the nasopharyngeal junction and provide a restoring force necessary to hold the conductive element in apposition with tissue at the treatment site.
Claims25
A device comprising:
- an elongated member for nasal insertion into a patient's pharynx, the elongated member having a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a longitudinal axis, wherein the elongated member comprises a first region having a first stiffness and a second region proximal of the first region along the longitudinal axis, and wherein the second region has a second stiffness less than the first stiffness;
- and
- a conductive element carried by the distal portion of the elongated member and configured to be electrically coupled to an energy source for delivering electric current to nerves proximate the pharynx,
- wherein, when the elongated member is inserted through a nostril of the patient such that the distal portion is positioned at a treatment site within the pharynx, the conductive element is placed in apposition with the pharyngeal wall, the first region extends along at least a portion of the nasal cavity and at least a portion of the nasopharynx, and the second region is positioned at or proximal of the patient's nostril.
A device comprising:
- an elongated member for nasal insertion into a patient's pharynx, the elongated member having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a biasing region between the proximal and distal portions, and a longitudinal axis, wherein the elongated member has a variable stiffness along the longitudinal axis;
- and
- a conductive element carried by the distal portion of the elongated member and configured to be electrically coupled to an energy source for delivering electric current to nerves proximate the pharynx,
- wherein the biasing region is biased towards a straight configuration such that, when the elongated member is inserted through a nostril of the patient and the biasing region bends around the nasopharyngeal junction, the elongated member applies a restoring force that holds the conductive element in contact with a posterior region of the pharyngeal wall.
A method comprising:
- inserting an elongated member through a nostril of a patient, the elongated member comprising a first region having a first stiffness and a second region having a second stiffness less than the first stiffness;
- advancing the elongated member through the nasal cavity and into the pharynx such that a distal portion of the elongated member is positioned in the pharynx, wherein, when the distal portion is positioned in the pharynx, the first region spans a nasopharyngeal junction and the second region is positioned at or proximal of the patient's nostril;
- and
- stimulating nerves proximate a treatment site via a conductive element carried by the distal portion of the elongated member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.