Non-invasive treatment of bronchial constriction
AssigneeElectroCore, Inc.
InventorsBruce J. Simon, Joseph P. Errico, John T. Raffle, Steven Mendez
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for treating bronchial constriction related to asthma, anaphylaxis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The treatment comprises transmitting impulses of energy non-invasively to selected nerve fibers that are responsible for smooth muscle dilation. The transmitted energy impulses, comprising magnetic and/or electrical, mechanical and/or acoustic, and optical and/or thermal energy, stimulate the selected nerve fibers.
Claims26
A method of treating a disease or disorder in a patient, the method comprising:
- positioning one more energy transmitters within a container comprising electrically conducting fluid such that the energy transmitters are at least partially surrounded by the electrically conductive fluid;
- positioning a surface of the container against an outer skin surface of a patient;
- and
- applying sufficient energy to the energy transmitters to generate one or more electrical impulses at or near a vagus nerve of the patient, wherein the electrical impulses are sufficient to stimulate activity of the vagus nerve to treat the disease or disorder.
A device for treating a disease or disorder of a patient, the device comprising:
- a power source;
- a container coupled to the power source and comprising an interior at least partially filled with an electrically conductive fluid and one or more energy transmitters within the interior at least partially surrounded by the electrically conductive fluid, the container further comprising a contact surface for contacting an outer skin surface of the patient;
- and
- wherein the power source supplies energy to the energy transmitters and the energy is sufficient to generate one or more electrical impulses at a vagus nerve of the patient sufficient to treat the disease or disorder.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.