Method and system to provide therapy for neuropsychiatric disorders and cognitive impairments using gradient magnetic pulses to the brain and pulsed electrical stimulation to vagus nerve(s)
First Claim
1. A method of treating or alleviating the symptoms of neuropsychiatric disorders and cognitive impairments using gradient magnetic pulses to the brain and pulsed electrical stimulation to vagus nerve(s), comprising the steps of:
- a) selecting a patient for providing said therapy;
b) providing gradient magnetic pulses to the brain of said patient; and
c) providing pulsed electrical stimulation to a vagus nerve(s) of said patient.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system of providing therapy or alleviating the symptoms of neuropsychiatric disorders and cognitive impairments comprises, providing gradient magnetic pulses to the brain and pulsed electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve(s) for afferent neuromodulation. These neuropsychiatric disorders and cognitive impairments include depression, bipolar depression, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, schizophrenia, borderline personality disorders, sleep disorders, learning difficulties, memory impairments and the like. Gradient magnetic pulses are provided to the brain at approximately 1 KHz frequency in sessions that typically last for approximately 20 minutes, but can range from about 2 minutes to 5 hours. These gradient magnetic pulses produce a relatively constant electric field in the brain. Pulsed electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve(s) may be provided continuously in ON-OFF repeating cycles. The two stimulation therapies may be given in any order, any combination, or any sequence as determined by the physician. The two stimulation therapies may also be used with or without pharmaceutical therapy. Pulsed electrical vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) may be provided using an implanted pulse generator (IPG) or an external stimulator used in conjunction with an implanted stimulus-receiver. In one aspect of the invention the pulse generator system may comprise communication capabilities for networking over a wide area network, for remote interrogation and programming.
244 Citations
33 Claims
-
1. A method of treating or alleviating the symptoms of neuropsychiatric disorders and cognitive impairments using gradient magnetic pulses to the brain and pulsed electrical stimulation to vagus nerve(s), comprising the steps of:
-
a) selecting a patient for providing said therapy;
b) providing gradient magnetic pulses to the brain of said patient; and
c) providing pulsed electrical stimulation to a vagus nerve(s) of said patient. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
- 12. A method of providing combination of gradient magnetic stimulation and pulsed electrical stimulation to a patient comprising, providing gradient magnetic pulses to the brain and electrical pulses to a vagus nerve(s) of said patient, whereby treating, or controlling, or alleviating the symptoms of neuropsychiatric disorders and cognitive impairments.
-
23. A system for treating or controlling or alleviating the symptoms of neuropsychiatric disorders, and cognitive impairments comprises,
a) means to provide gradient magnetic pulses to the brain of a patient, and b) means to provide afferent neuromodulation of a vagus nerve(s) of said patient with pulsed electrical stimulation.
Specification