Method of treating neurovegetative disorders and apparatus therefor

• US 4,649,935 A
• Filed: 05/21/1984
• Issued: 03/17/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Symtonic SA Mon-Repos 24 1005 Lausanne Switzerland
• Original Assignee: Symtonic SA
• Inventors: Lebet, Jean-Pierre, Charmillot, Rene
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S.
• Application Number:
  US06/612,544
• Time in Patent Office: 1,030 Days
• Field of Search: 128/1 C, 128/419 R, 128/420, 128/421, 128/422, 128/423 R, 128/362, 128/395-398, 128/783, 128/784, 128/800, 128/801, 128/787, 128/791-793
• US Class Current: 607/134
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00154 pulsed
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/32 alternating or intermittent currents applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling A61N1/40; microwave apparatus A61N5/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36014 External stimulators, e.g. with patch electrodes external pacemakers A61N1/3625
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36017 with leads or electrodes penetrating the skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36021 for treatment of pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36025 for treating a mental or cerebral condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/40 Applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling microwave apparatus A61N5/00; Applying radio-frequency signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0607 Nose
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0603 for treatment of body cavities
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/067 using laser light

Abstract

Disclosed is a method of treating a subject suffering from a neurovegetative disorder, which comprises the step of applying to the brain of said subject, a therapeutically effective amount of an electrically induced energy capable of influencing the vegetative nervous system of the brain, the application of said energy being performed by placing a suitably adapted energy applicator in the mouth or endonasal cavity of the subject and energizing the applicator so that the brain and in particular the limbic system thereof receives electrically induced energy from the applicator.

The electrically induced energy may consist of an electromagnetic wave or field energy, the energy produced by an electric current passing through the brain of said subject, and a combination of such energies.

Apparatus for performing the method and including a generator of the electrically induced energy and the applicator is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A method of treating a subject suffering from anxiety neurosis and any accompanying neurovegetative disturbance, which comprises the step of applying to the brain of said subject, a therapeutically effective amount of an electrically induced energy capable of influencing the vegetative nervous system of the brain, said electrically induced energy comprising a.c. pulses having a frequency of from 20 to 100 megahertz modulated with a frequency of modulation of from 2.5 to 6000 hertz, the application of said energy being performed by placing a suitably adapted energy applicator in the form of an emitter in the mouth or endonasal cavity of the subject and energizing the emitter so that the limbic system of the brain receives said modulated a.c. pulses from the emitter.

2. A method according to claim 1, in which the frequency of the a.c. pulses and the frequency of modulation thereof are adjusted dependent upon the response by the subject to the treatment.

3. Apparatus for treating a subject suffering from anxiety neurosis and any accompanying neurovegetative disturbance, comprising generator means for generating a.c. pulses having a frequency of from 20 to 100 megahertz modulated with a frequency of modulation of from 2.5 to 6000 hertz, and an energy applicator connected to said generator means, said energy applicator being shaped and sized to permit placement in the mouth or endonasal cavity of the subject and including emitter means for directing said modulated a.c. pulses to the limbic system of the brain of the subject when said energy applicator is placed in the mouth or endonasal cavity of the subject and the generator means is activated.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, in which the apparatus is of portable pocket size including a housing for housing said generator means, and in which said energy applicator extends from said housing.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, in which said energy applicator is shaped and sized to permit placement in the mouth and to fit against the palate of the subject.