Multimodal, modular, magnetically coupled transcutaneous auricular stimulation system including apparatus and methods for the optimization of stimulation and therapeutic interventions

A method of optimizing therapeutic interventions via neurostimulation, the method comprising:

• the use of a neurostimulation system configured for transcutaneous delivery of stimulation to at least one cranial nerve target in the auricular nerve field of a human being;
• at least one cranial nerve target is selected from a group of cranial nerves that includes the auricular branch of the vagus nerve, the lesser occipital nerve, the trigeminal nerve and the great auricular nerve also known as the greater auricular nerve;
• said neurostimulation system is configured to emit energy from at least one energy emitter selected from a group that includes emitters of electrical energy, optical emitters of electromagnetic energy, and emitters of vibrational energy;
• at least one selectable energy modality is selected from a group that includes
• electrical stimulation current having at least one electrical frequency selected from a range of electrical frequencies between 0.5 hertz to 250 hertz with a pulse-width in the range from 100 to 500 micro-seconds (μS);
• optically emitted electromagnetic energy having at least one wavelength selected from a range of wavelengths between 400 and 1600 nanometers emitted at a frequency of between 1 and 5,000 Hertz;
• said optically emitted electromagnetic energy having at least one power density or fluence selected from the range of fluence between 0.5 and 30 joules per square centimeter;
• vibrational energy having at least one frequency in the range of 1 Hz to 20,000 Hertz with a pulse-width in the range from 100 to 500 micro-seconds (μS);
• said neurostimulation system is configured to produce at least one energy train having controller-modulated stimulation parameters selected from a group that includes energy frequency, energy intensity, energy fluence, stimulation time duration, energy pulse width, energy waveform, and total energy delivered, stimulation periodicity, and the like;
• neurostimulation controller functions are operable by means selected from a group of controller function operation means that includes a local human operator, a remote human operator, and at least one algorithm;
• said neurostimulation controller functions include the adjustment of at least one stimulation parameter selected from a group that includes energy frequency, energy intensity, stimulation time duration, energy pulse width, energy waveform, stimulation duty cycle, stimulation periodicity, total energy delivered and the like;
• said neurostimulation is selectively timed, applied and parameterized in relation to a therapeutic intervention, wherein said relation marker belongs to a group that includes
• a temporal marker relative to the delivery of said neurostimulation and a said therapeutic intervention;
• at least one exteroception marker targeted by a said therapeutic intervention;
• at least one interoception marker targeted by a said therapeutic intervention;
• at least one biofeedback marker target by a said therapeutic intervention;
• a hybrid combination of said markers.

An improved, anatomically individualized, contour conforming auricular neurostimulation apparatus to apply energy stimulation to at least one of the cranial nerves accessible in the auricular nerve field, the apparatus comprising:

• at least one conformal coupling means comprising a conformal plastic composition having at least one energy emitter means;
• said at least one conformal coupling means couples said at least one energy emitter means to the ventral-ventrolateral surfaces of at least one auricle of a human being;
• said at least one energy emitter means coupled to said at least one auricle of a human being delivers energy stimulation to said at least one of the cranial nerves accessible in the auricular nerve field;
• said at least one of the cranial nerves accessible in the auricular nerve field is selected from a group that includes the auricular branch of the vagus nerve, the auriculotemporal nerve, the lesser occipital nerve and the great auricular nerve also known as the greater auricular nerve;
• said at least one energy emitter means is comprised with said at least one conformal plastic composition to correspond anatomically and spatially with auricular anatomical landmarks associated with said at least one of the cranial nerves accessible in the ventral-ventrolateral auricular nerve field;
• said anatomical landmarks include the cymba conchae, cavum concha, the tragus, the lobule also known as the ear lobe, the fossa triangularis, the superior crus of the antihelix, the inferior crus of the anti-helix, the helix, the scapha and the like;
• said at least one conformal plastic composition is comprised of a group of plastic materials that includes thermo-settable plastics, photonic-settable plastics and mechanically-settable plastics;
• said at least one energy emitter means is selected from a group of energy emitters means that includes emitters of electrical energy, optical emitters of electromagnetic energy, and emitters of vibrational energy;
• said at least one energy emitter means is selected from a group that includes metallic electrodes, conductive metal, optical emitters, haptic emitters, graphene emitters, conductive filaments, conductive ink, conductive plating and the like;
• electrically conductive pathways on said conforming plastic composition are composed of conductive compositions selected from a group that includes screen-printed carbon ink, 3-D printed conductive filaments, metallic tracing, screen printed conductive metallic inks and the like.