Method and system for modulating the vagus nerve (10th cranial nerve) using modulated electrical pulses with an inductively coupled stimulation system
First Claim
1. A method of selectively stimulating the vagus nerve of a patient with electrical pulses, comprising applying modulated high frequency pulses with an external pulse generator, and said pulses being received by an implanted stimulus receiver in electrical contact with said vagus nerve, and further repeatedly applying said pulses to said vagus nerve over a period of time.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for afferent neuromodulation of the vagus nerve for providing stimulation therapy, comprises a transmitter and an implanted stimulus receiver. The circuitry of the transmitter is capable of generating modulated high frequency pulses for delivering virtually any form, any sequence, for any time interval for various therapy application. The implanted stimulus receiver, which is in electrical connection with the vagus nerve, may be a passive or an active device. In one embodiment the implanted stimulus receiver may be a “hybrid device” which is both inductively coupled, as well as, having a power source. Therapy is provided via pre-determined program or may be “custom” adjusted for the patient. In one embodiment the external transmitter comprises a wireless communication telemetry module, whereby therapy programs may be adjusted remotely by the physician via the wireless internet.
366 Citations
58 Claims
- 1. A method of selectively stimulating the vagus nerve of a patient with electrical pulses, comprising applying modulated high frequency pulses with an external pulse generator, and said pulses being received by an implanted stimulus receiver in electrical contact with said vagus nerve, and further repeatedly applying said pulses to said vagus nerve over a period of time.
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21. A method of modulating the vagus nerve of a patient, comprising the steps of:
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a) providing modulated high frequency electrical pulses generated and transmitted from outside the body via at least one primary coil; and
b) providing an implanted stimulus receiver comprising a secondary coil, circuitry, high value capacitve means for power storage, and at least one electrode in electrical contact with the vagus nerve, whereby, said electrical pulses modulate the vagus nerve. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A method of stimulating the vagus nerve by modulated electrical pulses, comprising the steps of:
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a) providing generating means for said modulated electrical pulses;
b) providing transmitting means for transmitting said electrical pulses; and
c) providing receiving means with at least one electrode adopted to be in contact with said vagus nerve, whereby, said vagus nerve is modulated by said electrical pulses applied repeatedly over a period of time. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35)
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36. A system for selectively stimulating the vagus nerve without substantially slowing the heart rate comprising,
a) a pulse generator-transmitter for generating and transmitting modulated high frequency pulses, and b) an implanted stimulus receiver in electrical contact with the vagus nerve for receiving and conditioning the electrical pulses, whereby, neuromodulation of the vagus nerve is performed.
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48. A system for modulating the vagus nerve of a patient for providing therapy comprising:
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a) a pulse generator for generating electrical pulses, and at least one primary coil for transmitting high frequency modulated pulses; and
b) an implanted stimulus receiver comprising a secondary coil, circuitry, high value capacitive means for power storage, and at least one electrode in electrical contact with the vagus nerve, said modulated pulses, received by said secondary coil are delivered to the vagus nerve for providing said therapy. - View Dependent Claims (49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58)
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Specification