Method and system for modulating the vagus nerve (10th cranial nerve) with electrical pulses using implanted and external componants, to provide therapy for neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders
First Claim
1. A method of providing electrical pulses to a vagus nerve(s) of a patient for treating or alleviating the symptoms of at least one of neurological, neuropsychiatric, and obesity disorders, comprising the steps of:
- a) providing a microprocessor based pulse generator;
wherein said pulse generator comprises at least one predetermined program to deliver said electrical pulses;
b) providing a lead in electrical contact with said pulse generator;
wherein said lead comprising at least one electrode adapted to be in contact with said vagus nerve(s);
c) providing means for programming said pulse generator; and
d) activating said at least one predetermined program to emit said predetermined pulses to said vagus nerve(s).
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for neuromodulating vagus nerve(s) to provide therapy for neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders comprises implantable and external components. The pulsed electrical stimulation to vagus nerve(s) is used for disorders such as epilepsy, depression, anxiety disorders, neurogenic pain, compulsive eating disorders, obesity, dementia including Alzheimer'"'"'s disease, and migraines. The pulsed electrical stimulation to vagus nerve(s) may be provided using one of the following stimulation systems, such as: a) an implanted stimulus-receiver with an external stimulator; b) an implanted stimulus-receiver comprising a high value capacitor for storing charge, used in conjunction with an external stimulator; c) a programmer-less implantable pulse generator (IPG) which is operable with a magnet; d) a programmable implantable pulse generator; e) a combination implantable device comprising both a stimulus-receiver and a programmable IPG; and f) an IPG comprising a rechargeable battery. In one embodiment, the external components such as the programmer or external stimulator may comprise a telemetry means for networking. The telemetry means therefore allows for interrogation or programming of implanted device, from a remote location over a wide area network.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A method of providing electrical pulses to a vagus nerve(s) of a patient for treating or alleviating the symptoms of at least one of neurological, neuropsychiatric, and obesity disorders, comprising the steps of:
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a) providing a microprocessor based pulse generator;
wherein said pulse generator comprises at least one predetermined program to deliver said electrical pulses;
b) providing a lead in electrical contact with said pulse generator;
wherein said lead comprising at least one electrode adapted to be in contact with said vagus nerve(s);
c) providing means for programming said pulse generator; and
d) activating said at least one predetermined program to emit said predetermined pulses to said vagus nerve(s). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of neuromodulating the vagus nerve(s) or its branches for controlling or alleviating the symptoms of at least one of neurological, neuropsychiatric, and obesity disorders, comprising the steps of:
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a) providing a pulse generator to supply electric pulses, wherein said pulse generator consists of one from a group comprising of;
an implanted stimulus-receiver with an external stimulator;
an implanted stimulus-receiver comprising a high value capacitor for storing charge, used in conjunction with an external stimulator;
a programmer-less implantable pulse generator (IPG) which is operable with a magnet;
a programmable implantable pulse generator;
a combination implantable device comprising both a stimulus-receiver and a programmable IPG; and
an IPG comprising a rechargeable battery.b) providing at least one predetermined program control the output of said pulse generator;
c) providing a lead in electrical contact with said at least one pulse generator;
d) activating said at least one predetermined program to emit said electrical pulses to said vagus nerve(s);
e) providing at least one electrode connected to said lead wherein said at least one electrode is adapted to be in contact with said vagus nerve(s);
whereby, neuromodulation of said vagus nerve(s) is provided according to said at least one predetermined program. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for providing predetermined electrical pulses to a vagus nerve(s) comprising implanted and external components, to provide therapy for at least one of epilepsy, depression, anxiety disorders, neurogenic pain, compulsive eating disorders, obesity, dementia including Alzheimer'"'"'s disease, and migrane, comprising the steps of:
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a) providing a programmable implanted pulse generator to provide said electrical pulses;
b) providing an implantable lead in electrical contact with said pulse generator, and at least one electrode adapted to be in contact with said vagus nerve(s);
c) providing an external programmer; and
d) programming said implanted pulse generator with said external programmer to deliver predetermined electrical pulses for providing said therapy. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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21. A system of providing electrical pulses to a vagus nerve(s) of a patient for treating or alleviating the symptoms of at least one of neurological, neuropsychiatric, and obesity disorders, comprising:
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a) a microprocessor based pulse generator;
wherein said pulse generator comprises at least one predetermined program to deliver said electrical pulses;
b) a lead in electrical contact with said pulse generator;
wherein said lead comprising at least one electrode adapted to be in contact with said vagus nerve(s);
c) means for programming said pulse generator; and
d) activating said at least one predetermined program to emit said predetermined pulses to said vagus nerve(s). - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification