Medical self-treatment using non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation
First Claim
1. A device for treating a medical condition in a patient comprising:
- a housing comprising a contact surface configured to contact an outer skin surface of the patient;
an energy source positioned within the housing, wherein the energy source generates and transmits an electrical impulse through the contact surface and the outer skin surface of the patient to a nerve at a target region within the patient, non-invasively, wherein the electrical impulse is sufficient to modulate the nerve;
a microprocessor coupled to the energy source;
a first communication interface that enables communication between the microprocessor and a first computer, wherein the energy source performs a first function under control of the microprocessor based on a first communication from the first computer; and
a second communication interface distinct from the first communication interface, wherein the second communication interface enables communication between the microprocessor and a second computer, wherein the energy source performs a second function under control of the microprocessor based on a second communication from the second computer, wherein the first function is distinct from the second function and the first computer is distinct from the second computer.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
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 stimulator that is applied to the surface of the patient'"'"'s neck. The device housing transmits data to a patient interface device such as a mobile phone or computer relating to the status of a stimulation session. The interface device in turn may communicate with a database contained within other computers, via a network or the internet. The system is designed to address problems that arise particularly during self-treatment, when a medical professional is not present.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A device for treating a medical condition in a patient comprising:
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a housing comprising a contact surface configured to contact an outer skin surface of the patient; an energy source positioned within the housing, wherein the energy source generates and transmits an electrical impulse through the contact surface and the outer skin surface of the patient to a nerve at a target region within the patient, non-invasively, wherein the electrical impulse is sufficient to modulate the nerve; a microprocessor coupled to the energy source; a first communication interface that enables communication between the microprocessor and a first computer, wherein the energy source performs a first function under control of the microprocessor based on a first communication from the first computer; and a second communication interface distinct from the first communication interface, wherein the second communication interface enables communication between the microprocessor and a second computer, wherein the energy source performs a second function under control of the microprocessor based on a second communication from the second computer, wherein the first function is distinct from the second function and the first computer is distinct from the second computer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for treating a medical condition of a patient, comprising:
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performing, via a stimulator, a first function involving a first computer, wherein the stimulator comprises a microprocessor and a first communication interface to communicate with the first computer, wherein the first function comprises the stimulator receiving data from the first computer; positioning the stimulator against an outer skin surface of the patient; transmitting, via the stimulator, while the stimulator is positioned against the outer skin surface of the patient, based at least in part on the data, an electrical impulse through the outer skin surface of the patient to a nerve at a target region within the patient, non-invasively, wherein the electrical impulse is sufficient to modulate the nerve; and performing, via the stimulator, a second function involving a second computer, wherein the first function is distinct from the second function and the first computer is distinct from the second computer and the stimulator. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification