NON-INVASIVE TREATMENT OF BRONCHIAL CONSTRICTION
First Claim
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1. A method of treating a disease or disorder in a patient, the method comprising:
- positioning a surface of a housing in contact with an outer skin surface of a neck of the patient, wherein the housing is coupled to a power supply and the housing comprises an energy transmitter located within an interior of the housing; and
applying sufficient energy to the energy transmitter via the power supply to generate an electrical impulse at or near a vagus nerve of the patient, wherein the electrical impulse is sufficient to modulate afferent fibers of the vagus nerve and stimulate a release of catecholamines within the patient to treat the disease or disorder.
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Abstract
Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for treating bronchial constriction related to asthma, anaphylaxis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The treatment comprises transmitting impulses of energy non-invasively to selected nerve fibers that are responsible for smooth muscle dilation. The transmitted energy impulses, comprising magnetic and/or electrical, mechanical and/or acoustic, and optical and/or thermal energy, stimulate the selected nerve fibers.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method of treating a disease or disorder in a patient, the method comprising:
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positioning a surface of a housing in contact with an outer skin surface of a neck of the patient, wherein the housing is coupled to a power supply and the housing comprises an energy transmitter located within an interior of the housing; and applying sufficient energy to the energy transmitter via the power supply to generate an electrical impulse at or near a vagus nerve of the patient, wherein the electrical impulse is sufficient to modulate afferent fibers of the vagus nerve and stimulate a release of catecholamines within the patient to treat the disease or disorder. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A device for treating a disease or a disorder in patient, the device comprising:
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a power source; a housing coupled to the power source and having an interior, and an outer contact surface, wherein the outer contact surface is configured to contact an outer skin surface of a neck of a patient; an energy transmitter positioned within the interior of the housing; and wherein the power source is configured to supply energy to the energy transmitter and the energy is sufficient to generate an electrical impulse at a vagus nerve of the patient when the outer contact surface of the housing is in contact with the outer skin surface of the neck of the patient, wherein the electrical impulse is sufficient to modulate afferent fibers of the vagus nerve and stimulate a release of catecholamines within the patient to treat the disease or disorder. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification