Mobile phone using non-invasive nerve stimulation

• US 10,232,177 B2
• Filed: 06/20/2016
• Issued: 03/19/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Electrocore, Llc
• Original Assignee: Electrocore, Llc
• Inventors: Errico, Joseph P., Mendez, Steven, Simon, Bruce J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mahmood, Nadia A
• Application Number:
  US15/187,550
• Publication Number:
  US 20160287869A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,002 Days
• Field of Search: 607 2
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0071 by measuring fluorescence emission
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/066 Superposing sensor position on an image of the patient, e.g. obtained by ultrasound or x-ray imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6898 Portable consumer electronic devices, e.g. music players, telephones, tablet computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7425 Displaying combinations of multiple images regardless of image source, e.g. displaying a reference anatomical image with a live image geometric transforms for image registration G06T3/14; enhancement using image fusion G06T5/50; algorithms for registration of images G06T7/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0456 Specially adapted for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation [TENS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36021 for treatment of pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36025 for treating a mental or cerebral condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3603 Control systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36034 specified by the stimulation parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37217 characterised by the communication link, e.g. acoustic or tactile
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3756 Casings with electrodes thereon, e.g. leadless stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/21 Combinations with auxiliary equipment, e.g. with clocks or memoranda pads
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. A method for treating a medical condition of a patient, the method comprising:

generating an electric signal sufficient to modulate a nerve within the patient;

wirelessly transmitting the electric signal to a mobile device, wherein the wirelessly transmitting comprises downloading a mobile application onto the mobile device, and wherein the mobile application comprises an audio file;

contacting a contact surface of a stimulator against an outer surface of a skin of the patient, wherein the contact surface is coupled to the mobile device;

applying an electrical impulse to the contact surface and through the outer surface to a nerve at a target region within a body of the patient; and

disabling a function of the mobile device during the applying.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile device comprises a mobile phone, wherein the mobile phone comprises the stimulator.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile device comprises a mobile phone, wherein the stimulator attaches to a surface of the mobile phone.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile device comprises a mobile phone, wherein the stimulator comprises a case for the mobile phone.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile device comprises a mobile WI-FI device configured to receive and transmit data over a network.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the contact surface comprises an electrode.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the contacting comprises contacting an electrode against a neck of the patient, wherein the electrode extends from the mobile device.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrical impulse comprises bursts of pulses with each of the bursts having a frequency from about 1 burst per second to about 100 bursts per second and each of the pulses having a frequency from about 1 KHz to about 20 KHz.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

wirelessly transmitting data to the mobile device, wherein the data is configured for an electrical stimulation therapy via the stimulator.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the data comprises an authorization to the mobile device to enable the stimulator to operate.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the data comprises dosing information, wherein the dosing information comprises a duration of time in which the stimulator generates the electrical impulse.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the dosing information further comprises a number of treatments in which the stimulator may be applied to the patient, wherein the data limits a number of treatments that may be applied to the patient without a further authorization.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

filtering a high frequency component from the electric signal before the electrical impulse passes through the outer surface.

31. The method of claim 1, further comprising amplifying the electric signal.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the amplifying comprises electrically coupling an amplifier to at least one of the mobile device or the stimulator.

7. A method for treating a medical condition of a patient, the method comprising:

generating an electric signal;

amplifying the electric signal such that the amplified electrical signal is sufficient to modulate a nerve within the patient;

wirelessly transmitting the electric signal to a mobile device;

contacting a contact surface of a stimulator against an outer surface of a skin of the patient, wherein the contact surface is coupled to the mobile device;

applying an electrical impulse to the contact surface and through the outer surface to a nerve at a target region within a body of the patient; and

disabling a function of the mobile device during the applying.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the amplifying comprises electrically coupling an amplifier to at least one of the mobile device or the stimulator.

33. The method of claim 7, wherein the mobile device comprises a mobile phone, wherein the mobile phone comprises the stimulator.

34. The method of claim 7, wherein the mobile device comprises a mobile phone, wherein the stimulator attaches to a surface of the mobile phone.

35. The method of claim 7, wherein the mobile device comprises a mobile phone, wherein the stimulator comprises a case for the mobile phone.

36. The method of claim 7, wherein the mobile device comprises a mobile WI-FI device configured to receive and transmit data over a network.

37. The method of claim 7, wherein the contact surface comprises an electrode.

38. The method of claim 7, wherein the contacting comprises contacting an electrode against a neck of the patient, wherein the electrode extends from the mobile device.

39. The method of claim 7, wherein the electrical impulse comprises bursts of pulses with each of the bursts having a frequency from about 1 burst per second to about 100 bursts per second and each of the pulses having a frequency from about 1 KHz to about 20 KHz.

40. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

wirelessly transmitting data to the mobile device, wherein the data is configured for an electrical stimulation therapy via the stimulator.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the data comprises an authorization to the mobile device to enable the stimulator to operate.

42. The method of claim 40, wherein the data comprises dosing information, wherein the dosing information comprises a duration of time in which the stimulator generates the electrical impulse.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein the dosing information further comprises a number of treatments in which the stimulator may be applied to the patient, wherein the data limits a number of treatments that may be applied to the patient without a further authorization.

44. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

filtering a high frequency component from the electric signal before the electrical impulse passes through the outer surface.

45. The method of claim 7, wherein the wirelessly transmitting comprises downloading a mobile application onto the mobile device.

16. A method for treating a medical condition of a patient, the method comprising:

wirelessly transmitting an electric signal to a mobile device, wherein the wirelessly transmitting comprises downloading a mobile application onto the mobile device, and wherein the mobile application comprises an audio file;

contacting a contact surface of a stimulator against an outer surface of a skin of the patient, wherein the stimulator coupled to the mobile device;

applying an electrical impulse associated with the electric signal to the contact surface and through the outer surface to a nerve located at a target region within the patient, wherein the electrical impulse is sufficient to modulate the nerve; and

filtering a high frequency component from the electric signal before the electrical impulse passes through the outer surface.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the mobile device comprises a mobile phone, wherein the mobile phone comprises the stimulator.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the mobile device comprises a mobile phone, wherein the stimulator attaches to a surface of the mobile phone.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the mobile device comprises a mobile phone, wherein the stimulator comprises a case for the mobile phone.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the mobile device comprises a mobile WI-FI device configured to receive and transmit data over a network.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein the contact surface comprises an electrode.

24. The method of claim 16, wherein the contacting comprises contacting an electrode against a neck of the patient, wherein the electrode extends from the mobile device.

25. The method of claim 16, wherein the electrical impulse comprises bursts of pulses with each of the bursts having a frequency from about 1 burst per second to about 100 bursts per second and each of the pulses having a frequency from about 1 KHz to about 20 KHz.

26. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

wirelessly transmitting data to the mobile device, wherein the data is configured for an electrical stimulation therapy.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the data comprises an authorization to the mobile device to enable the stimulator to operate.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein the data comprises dosing information, wherein the dosing information comprises a duration of time in which the stimulator generates the electrical impulse.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the dosing information further comprises a number of treatments in which the stimulator may be applied to the patient, wherein the data limits a number of treatments that may be applied to the patient without a further authorization.

30. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

disabling a function of the mobile device during the applying.

46. The method of claim 16, further comprising amplifying the electric signal.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein the amplifying comprises electrically coupling an amplifier to at least one of the mobile device or the stimulator.

22. A method for treating a medical condition of a patient, the method comprising:

wirelessly transmitting an electric signal to a mobile device;

amplifying the electric signal;

contacting a contact surface of a stimulator against an outer surface of a skin of the patient, wherein the stimulator coupled to the mobile device;

applying an electrical impulse associated with the amplified electric signal to the contact surface and through the outer surface to a nerve located at a target region within the patient, wherein the electrical impulse is sufficient to modulate the nerve; and

filtering a high frequency component from the electric signal before the electrical impulse passes through the outer surface.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the amplifying comprises electrically coupling an amplifier to at least one of the mobile device or the stimulator.

48. The method of claim 22, wherein the mobile device comprises a mobile phone, wherein the mobile phone comprises the stimulator.

49. The method of claim 22, wherein the mobile device comprises a mobile phone, wherein the stimulator attaches to a surface of the mobile phone.

50. The method of claim 22, wherein the mobile device comprises a mobile WI-FI device configured to receive and transmit data over a network.

51. The method of claim 22, wherein the contact surface comprises an electrode.

52. The method of claim 22, wherein the wirelessly transmitting comprises downloading a mobile application onto the mobile device.

53. The method of claim 22, wherein the contacting comprises contacting an electrode against a neck of the patient, wherein the electrode extends from the mobile device.

54. The method of claim 22, wherein the electrical impulse comprises bursts of pulses with each of the bursts having a frequency from about 1 burst per second to about 100 bursts per second and each of the pulses having a frequency from about 1 KHz to about 20 KHz.

55. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

wirelessly transmitting data to the mobile device, wherein the data is configured for an electrical stimulation therapy.

56. The method of claim 55, wherein the data comprises an authorization to the mobile device to enable the stimulator to operate.

57. The method of claim 55, wherein the data comprises dosing information, wherein the dosing information comprises a duration of time in which the stimulator generates the electrical impulse.

58. The method of claim 57, wherein the dosing information further comprises a number of treatments in which the stimulator may be applied to the patient, wherein the data limits a number of treatments that may be applied to the patient without a further authorization.

59. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

disabling a function of the mobile device during the applying.