Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090149774 | BONE MARROW ASPIRATION NEEDLE - A bone aspiration needle is provided. The cannulated body can define at least a first aperture for aspirating bone marrow from a first region of an anatomy. The bone aspiration needle can also include a second aperture for aspirating bone marrow from a second region of the anatomy and a third aperture for aspirating bone marrow from a third region of the anatomy. The first aperture can be a distal most aperture and the third aperture can be a proximal most aperture. The first aperture can have a first area, the second aperture can have a second area, and the third aperture can have a third area. The second area can be greater than the first area and less than the third area so as to enable the aspiration of substantially equal amounts of bone marrow substantially simultaneously from each of the first aperture, second aperture and third aperture. | 06-11-2009 |
20100057178 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR SPINAL CORD STIMULATION USING EXPANDABLE ELECTRODE - The present invention provides systems, apparatus and methods for selectively applying electrical energy to body tissue. More specifically, systems and methods are provided for introducing a spinal cord stimulation electrode device into a patient's epidural space through a small portal, such as a percutaneous penetration, and then expanding the electrode device once inside the epidural space to achieve a larger footprint of contact on the dura. This substantially prevents migration of the electrode within the epidural space and provides for more efficient and effective treatment. | 03-04-2010 |
20100174340 | Methods and Apparatus for Applying Energy to Patients - The present invention provides systems, apparatus and methods for selectively applying electrical energy to body tissue. More specifically, systems and methods are provided for introducing a flowable electrode to a target site within the patient such that the flowable electrode converts to a hardened electrode after being introduced to the target site. An electrical impulse is applied to the hardened electrode to modulate one or more nerve(s) at the target site. The electrode preferably comprises a conductive polymer material. | 07-08-2010 |
20110046432 | NON-INVASIVE TREATMENT OF BRONCHIAL CONSTRICTION - 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. | 02-24-2011 |
20110125213 | NON-INVASIVE TREATMENT OF BRONCHIAL CONSTRICTION - 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. | 05-26-2011 |
20110230701 | ELECTRICAL AND MAGNETIC STIMULATORS USED TO TREAT MIGRAINE/SINUS HEADACHE AND COMORBID DISORDERS - Non-invasive electrical nerve stimulation devices and magnetic stimulation devices are disclosed, along with methods of treating medical disorders using energy that is delivered noninvasively by such devices. The disorders comprise migraine and other primary headaches such as cluster headaches, including sinus symptoms that resemble an immune-mediated response (“sinus” headaches), irrespective of whether those symptoms arise from an allergy that is co-morbid with the headache. The disclosed methods may also be used to treat other disorders that may be co-morbid with migraine headaches, such as anxiety disorders. In preferred embodiments of the disclosed methods, one or both of the patient's vagus nerves are stimulated non-invasively. In other embodiments, parts of the sympathetic nervous system and/or the adrenal glands are stimulated. | 09-22-2011 |
20110319958 | NON-INVASIVE TREATMENT OF BRONCHIAL CONSTRICTION - Devices, systems and instructing methods are disclosed for treating bronchial constriction related to asthma, anaphylaxis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The instructing method for 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. | 12-29-2011 |
20120035683 | METHOD FOR TREATING DEGENERATIVE DISC DISEASE USING NONINVASIVE CAPACITIVELY COUPLED ELECTRICAL STIMULATION DEVICE - A method for treatment of degenerative disc disease using capacitively coupled electrical stimulation. In one embodiment, a subject diagnosed as having degenerative disc disease is treated by placing first and second electrodes on the subject's body at the site of an identified disc in a state of degenerative disc disease, and applying an electric field to the identified disc via the first and second electrodes with the intent to treat the degenerative disc disease. The electric field is created with an electrical signal having a frequency within a range of 20 to 100 kHz and having a symmetrical waveform with an amplitude within a range of 0.1 to 20 volts peak-to-peak, preferably a frequency of approximately 60 kHz and an amplitude of approximately 5 volts peak-to-peak. | 02-09-2012 |
20120095522 | METHOD FOR TREATING DEGENERATIVE DISC DISEASE USING NONINVASIVE CAPACITIVELY COUPLED ELECTRICAL STIMULATION DEVICE - A method for treatment of degenerative disc disease using capacitively coupled electrical stimulation. In one embodiment, a subject diagnosed as having degenerative disc disease is treated by placing first and second electrodes on the subject's body at the site of an identified disc in a state of degenerative disc disease, and applying an electric field to the identified disc via the first and second electrodes with the intent to treat the degenerative disc disease. The electric field is created with an electrical signal having a frequency within a range of 20 to 100 kHz and having a symmetrical waveform with an amplitude within a range of 0.1 to 20 volts peak-to-peak, preferably a frequency of approximately 60 kHz and an amplitude of approximately 5 volts peak-to-peak. | 04-19-2012 |
20120184801 | NERVE STIMULATION METHODS FOR AVERTING IMMINENT ONSET OR EPISODE OF A DISEASE - Transcutaneous electrical and magnetic nerve stimulation devices are disclosed, along with methods of averting imminent medical attacks using energy that is delivered noninvasively by the devices. In particular, the devices and methods involve handheld devices designed to stimulate the vagus nerve of a patient with a signal sufficient to minimize or avert epileptic seizures. | 07-19-2012 |
20130066392 | NON-INVASIVE MAGNETIC OR ELECTRICAL NERVE STIMULATION TO TREAT OR PREVENT DEMENTIA - Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for treating or preventing dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease. The methods comprise transmitting impulses of energy non-invasively to selected nerve fibers, particularly those in a vagus nerve, that modulate the activity of a patient's locus ceruleus. The transmitted energy impulses, comprising magnetic and/or electrical energy, stimulate the selected nerve fibers to cause the locus ceruleus to release norepinephrine into regions of the brain that contain beta-amyloids. The norepinephrine counteracts neuroinflammation that would damage neurons in those regions and the locus ceruleus, thereby arresting or slowing the progression of the disease in the patient. | 03-14-2013 |
20130066395 | NERVE STIMULATION METHODS FOR AVERTING IMMINENT ONSET OR EPISODE OF A DISEASE - Transcutaneous electrical and magnetic nerve stimulation devices are disclosed, along with methods of averting imminent medical attacks using energy that is delivered noninvasively by the devices. The attacks comprise asthma attack, epileptic seizure, attacks of migraine headache, transient ischemic attack or stroke, onset of atrial fibrillation, myocardial infarction, onset of ventricular fibrillation or tachycardia, panic attack, and attacks of acute depression. The imminence of an attack is forecasted using grey-box or black-box models as used in control theory. In preferred embodiments of the disclosed methods, a vagus nerve in the neck of a patient is stimulated noninvasively to avert the attack. | 03-14-2013 |
20130131746 | NON-INVASIVE VAGUS NERVE STIMULATION DEVICES AND METHODS TO TREAT OR AVERT ATRIAL FIBRILLATION - Energy is transmitted noninvasively to a patient using electrode-based stimulation devices or magnetic stimulation devices that are designed to non-invasively stimulate nerves selectively. The devices produce impulses that are used to treat atrial fibrillation, by stimulating a vagus nerve of a patient. The devices are also used to forecast the imminent onset of atrial fibrillation and then avert it by stimulating a vagus nerve. | 05-23-2013 |
20130131753 | NON-INVASIVE MAGNETIC OR ELECTRICAL NERVE STIMULATION TO TREAT GASTROPARESIS, FUNCTIONAL DYSPEPSIA, AND OTHER FUNCTIONAL GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS - Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for treating or preventing gastroparesis, functional dyspepsia, and other functional gastrointestinal disorders. The methods comprise transmitting impulses of energy non-invasively to selected nerve fibers, particularly those in a vagus nerve. The methods provide damaged interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) with trophic factors via vagal afferent nerve fibers, thereby reversing ICC damage, and as a consequence improving gastric motility. The methods also increase levels of inhibitory neurotransmitters in the brain so as to decrease neural activity within the area postrema, or they deactivate a resting state neural network containing parts of the anterior insula and anterior cingulate cortex, which will thereby reduce abnormal interoception and visceral hypersensitivity. | 05-23-2013 |
20130184792 | NON-INVASIVE MAGNETIC OR ELECTRICAL NERVE STIMULATION TO TREAT OR PREVENT AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS AND OTHER DISORDERS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT - Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for treating or preventing an autism spectrum disorder, a pervasive developmental disorder, or a disorder of psychological development. The methods comprise transmitting impulses of energy non-invasively to selected nerve fibers, particularly those in a vagus nerve. The nerve stimulation may be used as a behavior conditioning tool, by producing euphoria in an autistic individual. Vagus nerve stimulation is also used to modulate circulating serotonin levels in a pregnant woman so as to reduce the risk of having an autistic child; modulate the levels of growth factors within a child; promote balance of neuronal excitation/inhibition; modulate the activity of abnormal resting state neuronal networks; increase respiratory sinus arrhythmia; and avert episodes of motor stereotypies with the aid of forecasting methods. | 07-18-2013 |
20130238049 | NON-INVASIVE VAGAL NERVE STIMULATION TO TREAT DISORDERS - 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 invention 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. | 09-12-2013 |
20130245486 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR MONITORING NON-INVASIVE VAGUS NERVE STIMULATION - Devices and methods are disclosed that treat a medical condition, such as migraine headache, by electrically stimulating a nerve noninvasively, which may be a vagus nerve situated within a patient's neck. Preferred embodiments allow a patient to self-treat his or her condition. Disclosed methods assure that the device is being positioned correctly on the neck and that the amplitude and other parameters of the stimulation actually stimulate the vagus nerve with a therapeutic waveform. Those methods comprise measuring properties of the patient's larynx, pupil diameters, blood flow within an eye, electrodermal activity and/or heart rate variability. | 09-19-2013 |
20130245712 | NON-INVASIVE VAGAL NERVE STIMULATION TO TREAT DISORDERS - Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for treating bronchial constriction related to asthma, anaphylaxis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), exercise-induced bronchospasm and post-operative bronchospasm. The treatment comprises transmitting impulses of energy non-invasively to selected nerve fibers that activate neural pathways to reduce the release of acetycholine from airway-related vagal preganglionic neurons within the brain of the patient. The transmitted energy impulses, comprising magnetic and/or electrical energy, stimulate the selected nerve fibers to produce the bronchodilation. | 09-19-2013 |
20130253625 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DEEP BRAIN STIMULATION - The present invention provides systems, apparatus and methods for treating nerve disorders in the brain. An electrode is introduced into a patient's sinus cavity and an electrical impulse is applied to the electrode to modulate one or more target nerves in the brain to treat the disorder. In preferred embodiments, the electrode is positioned within a sinus cavity adjacent to or near the frontal cortex of the brain and the electrical signal is sufficient to modulate, stimulate and/or inhibit nerves within the frontal cortex. The electrode may be movable between a collapsed or compact configuration for introduction into the sinus cavity and an expanded configuration for contacting tissue within the sinus cavity to deliver the electrical impulse through the tissue to the target nerves in the brain. | 09-26-2013 |
20130304159 | MAGNETIC STIMULATION DEVICES AND METHODS OF THERAPY - Devices and systems are disclosed for the non-invasive treatment of medical conditions through delivery of energy to target tissue, comprising a source of electrical power, a magnetically permeable toroidal core, and a coil that is wound around the core. The coil and core are embedded in a continuous electrically conducting medium, which is adapted to have a shape that conforms to the contour of an arbitrarily oriented target body surface of a patient. The conducting medium is applied to that surface by any of several disclosed methods, and the source of power supplies a pulse of electric charge to the coil, such that the coil induces an electric current and/or an electric field within the patient, thereby stimulating tissue and/or one or more nerve fibers within the patient. The invention shapes an elongated electric field of effect that can be oriented parallel to a long nerve. In one embodiment, the device comprises two toroidal cores that lie adjacent to one another. | 11-14-2013 |
20130304169 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SELECTIVELY APPLYING ELECTRICAL ENERGY TO TISSUE - Systems and devices for selectively applying electrical energy to a target region beneath a skin surface of a patient involve applying an electrical impulse to one or more electrodes on a skin surface of the patient to modulate one or more nerves at the target region, where the impulse is substantially blocked at nerves located between the target region and the skin surface such that only the nerves at the target region are modulated by the electrical impulse. | 11-14-2013 |
20130310909 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR VAGAL NERVE STIMULATION - Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve to treat or prevent disorders in a patient. The methods comprise transmitting impulses of energy to the vagus nerve according to a treatment paradigm that includes single doses of 30 seconds to 5 minutes of continuous stimulation. The treatment paradigm further comprises one or more daily treatment sessions that each include one or more doses for prophylactic or acute treatment of the patient's condition. Vagus nerve stimulation is used to modulate the release of inhibitory neurotransmitters in the brain, such as GABA, norepinephrine, and/or serotonin. | 11-21-2013 |
20130317580 | VAGAL NERVE STIMULATION TO AVERT OR TREAT STROKE OR TRANSIENT ISCHEMIC ATTACK - Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for treating or preventing a stroke and/or a transient ischemic attack in a patient. The methods comprise transmitting impulses of energy non-invasively to selected nerve fibers, particularly those in a vagus nerve. Vagus nerve stimulation is used to modulate the release of GABA, norepinephrine, and/or serotonin, thereby providing neuroprotection to the patient; to modulate the activity of resting state neuronal networks, particularly the sensory-motor network or resting state networks containing the insula; and to avert a stroke or transient ischemic attack that has been forecasted. | 11-28-2013 |
20140081071 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR TREATING PRIMARY HEADACHE - Non-invasive electrical nerve stimulation devices and magnetic stimulation devices are disclosed, along with methods of treating medical disorders using energy that is delivered noninvasively by such devices. The disorders comprise migraine and other primary headaches such as cluster headaches, including sinus symptoms that resemble an immune-mediated response (“sinus” headaches), irrespective of whether those symptoms arise from an allergy that is co-morbid with the headache. The disclosed methods may also be used to treat other disorders that may be co-morbid with migraine headaches, such as anxiety disorders. In preferred embodiments of the disclosed methods, one or both of the patient's vagus nerves are stimulated non-invasively. In other embodiments, parts of the sympathetic nervous system and/or the adrenal glands are stimulated. | 03-20-2014 |
20140107397 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR TREATING PRIMARY HEADACHE - Non-invasive electrical nerve stimulation devices and magnetic stimulation devices are disclosed, along with methods of treating medical disorders using energy that is delivered noninvasively by such devices. The disorders comprise migraine and other primary headaches such as cluster headaches, including sinus symptoms that resemble an immune-mediated response (“sinus” headaches), irrespective of whether those symptoms arise from an allergy that is co-morbid with the headache. The disclosed methods may also be used to treat other disorders that may be co-morbid with migraine headaches, such as anxiety disorders. In preferred embodiments of the disclosed methods, one or both of the patient's vagus nerves are stimulated non-invasively. In other embodiments, parts of the sympathetic nervous system and/or the adrenal glands are stimulated. | 04-17-2014 |
20140107398 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR TREATING PRIMARY HEADACHE - Non-invasive electrical nerve stimulation devices and magnetic stimulation devices are disclosed, along with methods of treating medical disorders using energy that is delivered noninvasively by such devices. The disorders comprise migraine and other primary headaches such as cluster headaches, including sinus symptoms that resemble an immune-mediated response (“sinus” headaches), irrespective of whether those symptoms arise from an allergy that is co-morbid with the headache. The disclosed methods may also be used to treat other disorders that may be co-morbid with migraine headaches, such as anxiety disorders. In preferred embodiments of the disclosed methods, one or both of the patient's vagus nerves are stimulated non-invasively. In other embodiments, parts of the sympathetic nervous system and/or the adrenal glands are stimulated. | 04-17-2014 |
20140142654 | MEDICAL SELF-TREATMENT USING NON-INVASIVE VAGUS NERVE STIMULATION - Devices, systems and methods are disclosed that allow a patient to self-treat a medical condition, such as migraine headache, by electrical noninvasive stimulation of a vagus nerve. The system comprises a stimulator that is applied to the surface of the patient's neck, as well as a docking station that is used to charge a rechargeable battery within the stimulator. The docking station and stimulator housing transmit data to one another regarding the status of a stimulation session, as well as to a computer program in a patient interface device such as a mobile phone or computer. The interface device in turn communicates with medical record and billing databases contained within other computers, via the internet. The system is designed to address problems that arise particularly during self-treatment, when a medical professional is not present. | 05-22-2014 |
20140207224 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR TRANSCRANIAL STIMULATION - The present invention provides systems, apparatus and methods for applying electric current to neurons in the brain to treat disorders and to improve motor and/or memory functions in a patient. In a method according to the invention, an electrode is positioned adjacent to and spaced from the skin surface of the patient's head and an electric current is applied through the electrode to a target region in the brain to modulate one or more neurons in the target region. The electrode is housed within an enclosure and spaced from the skin surface so that the electrode does not directly contact the patient's tissue, which reduces the potential for collateral tissue damage or necrosis and shields the electrode from the patient's tissue which substantially inhibits Faradic products (e.g., H | 07-24-2014 |
20140213842 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR TREATING PRIMARY HEADACHE - Non-invasive electrical nerve stimulation devices and magnetic stimulation devices are disclosed, along with methods of treating medical disorders using energy that is delivered noninvasively by such devices. The disorders comprise migraine and other primary headaches such as cluster headaches, including sinus symptoms that resemble an immune-mediated response (“sinus” headaches), irrespective of whether those symptoms arise from an allergy that is co-morbid with the headache. The disclosed methods may also be used to treat other disorders that may be co-morbid with migraine headaches, such as anxiety disorders. In preferred embodiments of the disclosed methods, one or both of the patient's vagus nerves are stimulated non-invasively. In other embodiments, parts of the sympathetic nervous system and/or the adrenal glands are stimulated. | 07-31-2014 |
20140214120 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ELECTRICAL STIMULATION OF SPHENOPALATINE GANGLION AND OTHER BRANCHES OF CRANIAL NERVES - Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for modulating cranial nerves, such as the sphenopalatine ganglion, to treat a medical condition of a patient, such as cluster headache. A stimulation device is advanced transnasally to a target site at or adjacent to the nasopharyngeal mucosa posterior to the middle turbinate. Electrical impulses are applied through one or more electrodes in the stimulation device to the target nerve sufficient to modulate the nerve and treat the medical condition. | 07-31-2014 |
20140236272 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR NON-INVASIVE CAPACITIVE ELECTRICAL STIMULATION AND THEIR USE FOR VAGUS NERVE STIMULATION ON THE NECK OF A PATIENT - A non-invasive electrical stimulator shapes an elongated electric field of effect that can be oriented parallel to a long nerve, such as a vagus nerve in a patient's neck, producing a desired physiological response in the patient. The stimulator comprises a source of electrical power, at least one electrode and a continuous electrically conducting medium in contact with the electrodes. The conducting medium is also in contact with an interface element that may conform to the contour of a target body surface of the patient when the interface element is applied to that surface. When the interface element is made of insulating (dielectric) material, and disclosed stimulation waveforms are used, the power source need not supply high voltage, in order to capacitively stimulate the target nerve. The stimulator is configured to produce a peak pulse that is sufficient to produce a physiologically effective electric field in the vicinity of a target nerve, but not to substantially stimulate other nerves and muscles that lie in the vicinity of the target nerve and patient's skin. | 08-21-2014 |
20140257437 | NERVE STIMULATION METHODS FOR AVERTING IMMINENT ONSET OR EPISODE OF A DISEASE - 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 invention 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. | 09-11-2014 |
20140257438 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR VAGAL NERVE STIMULATION - Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve to treat or prevent disorders in a patient. The devices comprise a handheld device having one or more electrode interfaces for contacting the outer skin surface of a patient, a power source and a signal generator coupled to the electrode/interfaces for applying one or more electrical impulses to a deep nerve within the patient, such as the vagus nerve. The device further comprises a filter situated in series between the signal generator and the electrode/interfaces for filtering out undesired high frequency components of the electrical impulses to create a cleaner, smoother signal. The filter may comprise an electrically conductive medium and/or a low-pass filter between the signal generator and the electrode/interface. | 09-11-2014 |
20140324118 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR TREATING MEDICAL DISORDERS WITH EVOKED POTENTIALS AND VAGUS NERVE STIMULATION - Devices, systems and methods for treating medical disorders, such as migraine or other primary headaches, or fibromyalgia, by noninvasive electrical stimulation of a vagus nerve, used in conjunction with the measurement of evoked potentials (EPs). The system comprises a stimulator that is applied to the surface of the patient's neck to apply electrical impulses sufficient to stimulate a cervical vagus nerve, scalp electrodes that are used to measure EPs that are evoked by that stimulation, feedback or biofeedback circuits to vary the stimulation based upon EP characteristics, and other sensory stimulation modalities that produce EPs. The system is preferably used to optimize the placement of the stimulator, to test whether a patient is a suitable candidate for treatment using vagus nerve stimulation, and to select the stimulation parameters that optimized acute or chronic treatment, e.g., by correcting an EP habituation deficit. | 10-30-2014 |
20140330334 | MOBILE PHONE FOR TREATING A PATIENT WITH SEIZURES - Devices, systems and methods are disclosed that allow a patient to self-treat epileptic seizures by electrical noninvasive stimulation of a vagus nerve. The system comprises a handheld stimulator that is applied to the surface of the patient's neck, wherein the stimulator comprises or is joined to a smartphone. A camera of the smartphone may be used to position and reposition the stimulator to a particular location on the patient's neck. The system may also comprise a base station that is used to meter the charging of a rechargeable battery within the stimulator. The base station and stimulator transmit data to one another regarding the status of a stimulation session. | 11-06-2014 |
20140330335 | MOBILE PHONE FOR TREATING A PATIENT WITH DEMENTIA - Devices, systems and methods are disclosed that allow a patient to self-treat neurodegenerative diseases, such as dementia, Alzheimer's disease, ischemic stroke, post-concussion syndrome, chronic traumatic encephalopathy and the like by electrical noninvasive stimulation of a vagus nerve. The system comprises a handheld stimulator that is applied to the surface of the patient's neck, wherein the stimulator comprises or is joined to a smartphone. A camera of the smartphone may be used to position and reposition the stimulator to a particular location on the patient's neck. The system may also comprise a base station that is used to meter the charging of a rechargeable battery within the stimulator. The base station and stimulator transmit data to one another regarding the status of a stimulation session. | 11-06-2014 |
20140330336 | MOBILE PHONE FOR STIMULATING THE TRIGEMINAL NERVE TO TREAT DISORDERS - Devices and methods are disclosed that allow a patient to self-treat a medical condition, such as migraine headache and trigeminal neuralgia and the like, by noninvasive electrical stimulation of nerves of the head, particularly supraorbital, supratrochlear, infraorbital, and mental nerves in the vicinity of their foramen or notch. The system comprises a handheld mobile device, such as a smartphone, that is applied to the surface of the patient's head. One or more electrodes on the mobile device apply electrical impulses transcutaneously through the patient's skin to the targeted nerve to treat the medical condition. The system is designed to address problems that arise particularly during self-treatment, when a medical professional is not present. | 11-06-2014 |
20140336721 | NON-INVASIVE TREATMENT OF BRONCHIAL CONSTRICTION - 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. | 11-13-2014 |
20140336730 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR NON-INVASIVE ELECTRICAL STIMULATION AND THEIR USE FOR VAGAL NERVE STIMULATION ON THE NECK OF A PATIENT - A non-invasive electrical stimulation device shapes an elongated electric field of effect that can be oriented parallel to a long nerve, such as a vagus nerve in a patient's neck, producing a desired physiological response in the patient. The stimulator comprises a source of electrical power, at least one electrode and a continuous electrically conducting medium in which the electrode(s) are in contact. The stimulation device is configured to produce a peak pulse voltage that is sufficient to produce a physiologically effective electric field in the vicinity of a target nerve, but not to substantially stimulate other nerves and muscles that lie between the vicinity of the target nerve and patient's skin. Current is passed through the electrodes in bursts of preferably five sinusoidal pulses, wherein each pulse within a burst has a duration of preferably 200 microseconds, and bursts repeat at preferably at 15-50 bursts per second. | 11-13-2014 |
20140343565 | ELECTRICAL TREATMENT OF BRONCHIAL CONSTRICTION - Devices, systems and methods for treating bronchial constriction related to asthma, anaphylaxis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease wherein the treatment includes stimulating selected nerve fibers responsible for smooth muscle dilation at a selected region within a patient's neck, thereby reducing the magnitude of constriction of bronchial smooth muscle. | 11-20-2014 |
20140357936 | NON-INVASIVE TREATMENT OF NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES - Methods and devices are disclosed for the non-invasive treatment of neurodegenerative diseases through delivery of energy to target nervous tissue, particularly the vagus nerve. The devices include a magnetic stimulator having coils with toroidal windings, which are in contact with an electrically conducting medium that is adapted to conform to the contour of a target body surface of a patient. The coils induce an electric current and/or an electric field within the patient, thereby stimulating nerve fibers within the patient. The stimulation brings about reduction of neuroinflammation in patients suffering from conditions comprising Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, postoperative cognitive dysfunction and postoperative delirium. Reduction in inflammation is effected by enhancing the anti-inflammatory competence of cytokines such as TGF-beta, wherein a retinoid or components of the retinoic acid signaling system provide an anti-inflammatory bias, by enhancing anti-inflammatory activity of a neurotrophic factor such as NGF, GDNF, BDNF, or MANF, and/or by inhibiting the activity of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-alpha. | 12-04-2014 |
20150032178 | NON-INVASIVE VAGAL NERVE STIMULATION TO TREAT DISORDERS - 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. | 01-29-2015 |
20150073505 | MOBILE PHONE USING NON-INVASIVE NERVE STIMULATION - Devices, systems and methods are disclosed that allow a patient to self-treat a medical condition, such as migraine headache, by electrical noninvasive stimulation of a vagus nerve. The system comprises a handheld stimulator that is applied to the surface of the patient's neck, wherein the stimulator comprises or is joined to a smartphone. A camera of the smartphone may be used to position and reposition the stimulator to a particular location on the patient's neck. The system may also comprise a base station that is used to meter the charging of a rechargeable battery within the stimulator. The base station and stimulator transmit data to one another regarding the status of a stimulation session. | 03-12-2015 |