Electrical tongue stimulator and method for addiction treatment

An apparatus for applying an electrical current to a tongue of a person for treating a substance addiction comprising:

• (a) a battery for providing a source of electrical current;
• (b) a housing having a compartment for receiving and retaining said battery therein;
• (c) a pair of spaced apart electrodes carried by the housing which are in electrical communication with said battery for delivering an electrical current to the tongue when both of said electrodes are in contact with the tongue, and wherein said housing, battery, and electrodes form an assembly that is grasped by hand during use;
• and
• (d) wherein said electrodes are constructed and arranged to contact the tip of the tongue to provide electrical current to the tongue for stimulating at least one hypoglossal nerve of the tongue.

A method of treating a substance addiction of a person comprising:

• (a) providing an apparatus having a housing, an electrical current source in operable communication with the housing, and a pair of spaced apart electrodes carried by the housing;
• (b) applying the electrodes to the tongue of a person;
• and
• (c) applying an electrical current to the tongue.

A method of treating an addiction of a person comprising:

• (a) providing an electrical power source and at least two spaced apart electrodes in electrical communication with the electrical power source;
• (b) urging the electrodes into contact with the tongue of the person;
• and
• (c) administering an electrical stimulus to the tongue.

An apparatus for applying an electrical stimulus to the tongue of a person comprising:

• (a) a housing having a compartment;
• (b) a battery received in said compartment and providing a source of electrical power;
• (c) a pair of electrodes spaced apart between one millimeter and two centimeters carried by said housing and which are electrically connected to said electrical power source for delivering an electrical stimulus to the tip of the tongue when both of said electrodes are in contact with the tip of the tongue;
• and
• (d) wherein said housing, battery and electrodes form a unitary assembly that is grasped by hand during use.

A method of delivering an electrical stimulus to treat a malady of a person comprising:

• (a) providing an electrical power source and at least two spaced apart electrodes in electrical communication with the electrical power source;
• (b) urging the electrodes into contact with the tongue of the person;
• and
• (c) administering an electrical stimulus to the tongue for treating an ulcer, gastritis, heartburn, excess stomach acid, stomach pain, or another stomach or gastric disorder.

A method of delivering an electrical stimulus to treat an eating disorder of a person comprising:

• (a) providing an electrical power source and at least two spaced apart electrodes receiving electrical power from the electrical power source;
• (b) urging the electrodes into contact with the tongue of the person;
• and
• (c) administering an electrical stimulus to the tongue.

A method of treating an addiction of a person comprising:

• (a) providing an apparatus having a housing, a pair of spaced apart electrodes carried by the housing, and a source of electricity electrically connected to the electrodes;
• (b) urging the pair of electrodes into contact with the tip of the tongue of the person;
• and
• (c) applying an electrical current to the tip of the tongue.