Non-invasive vagal nerve stimulation to treat disorders
AssigneeElectroCore, Inc.
InventorsBruce J. Simon, Joseph P. Errico, John T. Raffle
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Abstract
Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for treating a variety of diseases and disorders that are primarily or at least partially driven by an imbalance in neurotransmitters in the brain, such as asthma, COPD, depression, anxiety, epilepsy, fibromyalgia, and the like. The technology involves the use of an energy source comprising magnetic and/or electrical energy that is transmitted non-invasively to, or in close proximity to, a selected nerve to temporarily stimulate, block and/or modulate the signals in the selected nerve such that neural pathways are activated to release inhibitory neurotransmitters in the patient's brain.
Claims50
A method of treating a disorder in a patient, the method comprising:
- positioning a device adjacent to a skin surface of the patient;
- generating one or more electrical impulses with said device;
- and
- transmitting the electrical impulses to a vagus nerve in the patient, wherein the electrical impulses having a frequency from about 1 Hz to about 100 Hz and a duty cycle from about 1% to about 10%.
A device for treating a disorder in a patient, the device comprising:
- a housing comprising an electrically permeable or electrically conducting contact surface for contacting an outer skin surface of the patient;
- and
- an energy source housed within the housing, the energy source configured to transmit electrical impulses through the outer skin surface of the patient to a vagus nerve within the patient, wherein the electric impulses have a frequency from about 1 Hz to about 100 Hz and a duty cycle from about 1% to about 10%.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.