Devices and methods for nerve stimulation

Abstract

Devices and methods for the non-invasive stimulation of nerves, such as the vagus nerve, include a housing and an electrode coupled to the housing. The electrode is configured to be positioned adjacent to, or in contact with, an outer skin surface of a patient. A source of energy is coupled to the housing and operably coupled to the electrode. The source of energy emits an electrical signal to the electrode such that the electrical signal passes through the outer skin surface of the user to a nerve at a target region in the patient sufficient to modulate the nerve. The electrical impulse comprises burst periods and constant periods and each burst period includes a plurality of pulses. The pulses have a frequency of about 1 kHz to about 20 kHz and alternate between a positive voltage and a negative voltage within each burst period.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.