Apparatus for indirectly stimulating the vagus nerve with an electrical field

• US 7,310,552 B2
• Filed: 01/16/2002
• Issued: 12/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: John D. Puskas
• Original Assignee: John D. Puskas
• Inventors: Puskas, John D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Layno, Carl
• Application Number:
  US10/051,752
• Publication Number:
  US 20020198570A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,162 Days
• Field of Search: 607/1, 607/2, 607/9, 607/10, 607/72, 607/74, 607/118, 607/124
• US Class Current: 607/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 2300/00 Mixtures or combinations of active ingredients, wherein at least one active ingredient is fully defined in groups A61K31/00 - A61K41/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/138 Aryloxyalkylamines, e.g. propranolol, tamoxifen, phenoxybenzamine atenolol A61K31/165; pindolol A61K31/404; timolol A61K31/5377
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/275 Nitriles; Isonitriles
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/277 having a ring, e.g. verapamil
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/44 Non condensed pyridines; Hydrogenated derivatives thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/445 Non condensed piperidines, e.g. piperocaine
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/452 Piperidinium derivatives pancuronium A61K31/58
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 41/00 Drugs used in surgical methods, e.g. surgery adjuvants for preventing adhesion or for vitreum substitution
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 43/00 Drugs for specific purposes, not provided for in groups A61P1/00-A61P41/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 9/00 Drugs for disorders of the cardiovascular system

Abstract

An apparatus for indirectly stimulating a vagus nerve of a patient includes electrodes positioned within the esophagus, trachea, or a jugular vein of a patient, on the neck of the patient, or in combinations of these locations. The apparatus further includes a means for actuating the electrodes to create an electrical field for stimulating the vagus nerve.

Claims

1. An apparatus for stimulating a vagus nerve of a patient, comprising:

a first electrode positioned within the esophagus of said patient;

a second electrode positioned within the esophagus of said patient in spaced apart relation to said first electrode; and

means operatively associated with said first and second electrodes for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field effective to stimulate said vagus nerve.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field comprises a means for actuating both of said first and second electrodes to create an electrical field.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field comprises a means for actuating one or both of said electrodes in one of a unipolar or a bipolar mode.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for actuating said electrode to create an electrical field comprises a means for transmitting electrical impulses having a duration of at least 0.1 msec for actuating said electrode.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for actuating said electrode to create an electrical field comprises a means for transmitting to said electrode an electrical impulse having an amplitude of from about one to about forty volts.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field comprises a means for transmitting an impulse to said at least one of said electrodes at a frequency of between about one Hertz and about five hundred Hertz.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said means for transmitting an impulse to said at least one of said electrodes at a frequency of between about one Hertz and about five hundred Hertz comprises a means for transmitting an impulse to said at least one of said electrodes at a frequency of between about twenty Hertz and about eighty Hertz.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said means for transmitting an impulse to said at least one of said electrodes at a frequency of between about twenty Hertz and about eighty Hertz comprises a means for transmitting an impulse to said at least one of said electrodes at a frequency of about forty Hertz.

9. An apparatus for stimulating a vagus nerve of a patient, comprising:

a first electrode positioned within the esophagus of said patient;

a second electrode positioned within the esophagus of said patient in spaced apart relation to said first electrode; and

means operatively associated with said first and second electrodes for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field effective to stimulate said vagus nerve;

said second electrode disposed within the esophagus of said patient approximately one centimeter from said first electrode.

10. An apparatus for stimulating a vagus nerve of a patient, comprising:

a first electrode positioned within the esophagus of said patient;

a second electrode positioned within the esophagus of said patient in spaced apart relation to said first electrode; and

means operatively associated with said first and second electrodes for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field effective to stimulate said vagus nerve;

said means for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field operative to actuate said at least one of said electrodes to stimulate said vagus nerve for a period of between about five and about ninety seconds.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said actuating means is operative to actuate said at least one of said electrodes to stimulate said vagus nerve for a period of between about five and about fifteen seconds.

12. An apparatus for stimulating a vagus nerve of a patient, comprising:

a first electrode positioned within the esophagus of said patient;

a second electrode positioned within the esophagus of said patient in spaced apart relation to said first electrode; and

means operatively associated with said first and second electrodes for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field effective to stimulate said vagus nerve;

said means for actuating said electrode to create an electrical field comprising a means for transmitting to said electrode an electrical impulse having an amplitude of from about two to about six volts.

13. An apparatus for stimulating a vagus nerve of a patient, comprising:

a first electrode positioned within the trachea of said patient;

a second electrode positioned within the trachea of said patient in spaced apart relation to said first electrode; and

means operatively associated with said first and second electrodes for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field effective to stimulate said vagus nerve.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said second electrode is disposed within the trachea of said patient approximately one centimeter from said first electrode.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said means for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field comprises a means for actuating both of said first and second electrodes to create an electrical field.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said means for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field comprises a means for actuating one or both of said electrodes in one of a unipolar or a bipolar mode.

17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said means for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field is operative to actuate said at least one of said electrodes to stimulate said vagus nerve for a period of between about five and about ninety seconds.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said actuating means is operative to actuate said at least one of said electrodes to stimulate said vagus nerve for a period of between about five and about fifteen seconds.

19. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said means for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field comprises a means for transmitting an impulse to said at least one of said electrodes at a frequency of between about one Hertz and about five hundred Hertz.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said means for transmitting an impulse to said at least one of said electrodes at a frequency of between about one Hertz and about five hundred Hertz comprises a means for transmitting an impulse to said at least one of said electrodes at a frequency of between about twenty Hertz and about eighty Hertz.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said means for transmitting an impulse to said at least one of said electrodes at a frequency of between about twenty Hertz and about eighty Hertz comprises a means for transmitting an impulse to said at least one of said electrodes at a frequency of about forty Hertz.

22. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said means for actuating said electrode to create an electrical field comprises a means for transmitting electrical impulses having a duration of at least 0.1 msec for actuating said electrode.

23. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said means for actuating said electrode to create an electrical field comprises a means for transmitting to said electrode an electrical impulse having an amplitude of from about one to about forty volts.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein said means for transmitting to said electrode an electrical impulse having an amplitude of from about one to about forty volts comprises a means for transmitting to said electrode an electrical impulse having an amplitude of from about two to about six volts.

25. An apparatus for stimulating a vagus nerve of a patient, comprising:

a first electrode positioned within a jugular vein of said patient;

a second electrode positioned within said jugular vein of said patient in spaced apart relation to said first electrode; and

means operatively associated with said first and second electrodes for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field effective to stimulate said vagus nerve to achieve controlled asystole;

said means for actuating said electrode to create an electrical field comprising a means for transmitting electrical impulses having a duration of at least 0.1 msec for actuating said electrode.

26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein said second electrode is disposed within said jugular vein of said patient approximately one centimeter from said first electrode.

27. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein said means for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field comprises a means for actuating both of said first and second electrodes to create an electrical field.

28. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein said means for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field comprises a means for actuating one or both of said electrodes in one of a unipolar or a bipolar mode.

29. An apparatus for stimulating a vagus nerve of a patient, comprising:

a first electrode positioned within a jugular vein of said patient;

a second electrode positioned within said jugular vein of said patient in spaced apart relation to said first electrode; and

means operatively associated with said first and second electrodes for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field effective to stimulate said vagus nerve;

said means for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field operative to actuate said at least one of said electrodes to stimulate said vagus nerve for a period of between about thirty-five and about ninety seconds.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said actuating means is operative to actuate said at least one of said electrodes to stimulate said vagus nerve for a period of between about five and about fifteen seconds.

31. An apparatus for stimulating a vagus nerve of a patient, comprising:

a first electrode positioned within a jugular vein of said patient;

a second electrode positioned within said jugular vein of said patient in spaced apart relation to said first electrode; and

means operatively associated with said first and second electrodes for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field effective to stimulate said vagus nerve;

said means for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field comprising a means for transmitting an impulse to said at least one of said electrodes at a frequency of between about fifty-five Hertz and about five hundred Hertz.

32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein said means for transmitting an impulse to said at least one of said electrodes at a frequency of between about fifty-five Hertz and about five hundred Hertz comprises a means for transmitting an impulse to said at least one of said electrodes at a frequency of between about fifty-five Hertz and about eighty Hertz.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein said means for transmitting an impulse to said at least one of said electrodes at a frequency of between about fifty-five Hertz and about eighty Hertz comprises a means for transmitting an impulse to said at least one of said electrodes at a frequency of about fifty-five Hertz.

34. An apparatus for stimulating a vagus nerve of a patient, comprising:

a first electrode positioned within a jugular vein of said patient;

a second electrode positioned within said jugular vein of said patient in spaced apart relation to said first electrode; and

means operatively associated with said first and second electrodes for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field effective to stimulate said vagus nerve;

said means for actuating said electrode to create an electrical field comprising a means for transmitting electrical impulses having a duration of at least 0.1 msec for actuating said electrode.

35. An apparatus for stimulating a vagus nerve of a patient, comprising:

a first electrode positioned within a jugular vein of said patient;

a second electrode positioned within said jugular vein of said patient in spaced apart relation to said first electrode; and

means operatively associated with said first and second electrodes for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field effective to stimulate said vagus nerve;

said means for actuating said electrode to create an electrical field comprising a means for transmitting to said electrode an electrical impulse having an amplitude of from about one to about forty volts.

36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein said means for transmitting to said electrode an electrical impulse having an amplitude of from about one to about forty volts comprises a means for transmitting to said electrode an electrical impulse having an amplitude of from about two to about six volts.

37. An apparatus for stimulating a vagus nerve of a patient, comprising:

a first electrode positioned on the neck of said patient;

a second electrode positioned on the neck of said patient in spaced apart relation to said first electrode; and

means operatively associated with said first and second electrodes for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field effective to stimulate said vagus nerve to achieve controlled asystole;

wherein said second electrode is disposed on the neck of said patient approximately one centimeter to approximately five centimeters from said first electrode.

38. An apparatus for stimulating a vagus nerve of a patient, comprising:

a first electrode positioned on the neck of said patient;

a second electrode positioned on the neck of said patient in spaced apart relation to said first electrode; and

means operatively associated with said first and second electrodes for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field effective to stimulate said vagus nerve;

said means for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field operative to actuate said at least one of said electrodes to stimulate said vagus nerve for a period of between about fifteen seconds and about ninety seconds.

39. An apparatus for stimulating a vagus nerve of a patient, comprising:

a first electrode positioned on the neck of said patient;

a second electrode positioned on the neck of said patient in spaced apart relation to said first electrode; and

means operatively associated with said first and second electrodes for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field effective to stimulate said vagus nerve;

said means for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field comprising a means for transmitting an impulse to said at least one of said electrodes at a frequency of between about thirty Hertz and about five hundred Hertz.

40. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein said means for transmitting an impulse to said at least one of said electrodes at a frequency of between about thirty Hertz and about five hundred Hertz comprises a means for transmitting an impulse to said at least one of said electrodes at a frequency of between about forty Hertz and about eighty Hertz.

41. An apparatus for stimulating a vagus nerve of a patient, comprising:

a first electrode positioned on the neck of said patient;

a second electrode positioned on the neck of said patient in spaced apart relation to said first electrode; and

means operatively associated with said first and second electrodes for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field effective to stimulate said vagus nerve;

said means for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field comprising transmitting an impulse to said at least one of said electrodes at a frequency of about forty Hertz.

42. An apparatus for stimulating a vagus nerve of a patient, comprising:

a first electrode positioned on the neck of said patient;

a second electrode positioned on the neck of said patient in spaced apart relation to said first electrode; and

means operatively associated with said first and second electrodes for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field effective to stimulate said vagus nerve;

said means for actuating said electrode to create an electrical field comprising a means for transmitting electrical impulses having a duration of at least 0.2 msec for actuating said electrode.

43. An apparatus for stimulating a vagus nerve of a patient, comprising:

a first electrode positioned on the neck of said patient;

a second electrode positioned on the neck of said patient in spaced apart relation to said first electrode; and

means operatively associated with said first and second electrodes for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field effective to stimulate said vagus nerve;

said means for actuating said electrode to create an electrical field comprising a means for transmitting to said electrode an electrical impulse having an amplitude of from about twenty-five to about forty volts.

44. An apparatus for stimulating a vagus nerve of a patient, comprising:

a first electrode positioned on the neck of said patient;

a second electrode positioned on the neck of said patient in spaced apart relation to said first electrode; and

means operatively associated with said first and second electrodes for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field effective to stimulate said vagus nerve;

said means for actuating said electrode to create an electrical field comprising a means for transmitting to said electrode an electrical impulse having an amplitude of from about two to about six volts.

45. An apparatus for stimulating a vagus nerve of a patient, comprising:

a first electrode positioned within the esophagus of said patient;

a second electrode positioned within the trachea of said patient; and

means operatively associated with said first and second electrodes for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field effective to stimulate said vagus nerve.

46. The apparatus of claim 45 wherein said second electrode is disposed within the trachea of said patient approximately one centimeter to approximately five centimeters from said first electrode in said esophagus of said patient.

47. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein said means for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field comprises a means for actuating both of said first and second electrodes to create an electrical field.

48. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein said means for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field comprises a means for actuating one or both of said electrodes in one of a unipolar or a bipolar mode.

49. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein said means for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field is operative to actuate said at least one of said electrodes to stimulate said vagus nerve for a period of between about five and about ninety seconds.

50. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein said actuating means is operative to actuate said at least one of said electrodes to stimulate said vagus nerve for a period of between about five and about fifteen seconds.

51. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein said means for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field comprises a means for transmitting an impulse to said at least one of said electrodes at a frequency of between about one Hertz and about five hundred Hertz.

52. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein said means for transmitting an impulse to said at least one of said electrodes at a frequency of between about one Hertz and about five hundred Hertz comprises a means for transmitting an impulse to said at least one of said electrodes at a frequency of between about twenty Hertz and about eighty Hertz.

53. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein said means for transmitting an impulse to said at least one of said electrodes at a frequency of between about twenty Hertz and about eighty Hertz comprises a means for transmitting an impulse to said at least one of said electrodes at a frequency of about forty Hertz.

54. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein said means for actuating said electrode to create an electrical field comprises a means for transmitting electrical impulses having a duration of at least 0.1 msec for actuating said electrode.

55. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein said means for actuating said electrode to create an electrical field comprises a means for transmitting to said electrode an electrical impulse having an amplitude of from about one to about forty volts.

56. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein said means for transmitting to said electrode an electrical impulse having an amplitude of from about one to about forty volts comprises a means for transmitting to said electrode an electrical impulse having an amplitude of from about two to about six volts.

57. An apparatus for stimulating a vagus nerve of a patient, comprising:

a first electrode positioned within the esophagus of said patient;

a second electrode positioned within a jugular vein of said patient; and

means operatively associated with said first and second electrodes for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field effective to stimulate said vagus nerve.

58. The apparatus of claim 57 wherein said second electrode is disposed within said jugular vein of said patient approximately one centimeter to approximately five centimeters from said first electrode in said esophagus of said patient.

59. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein said means for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field comprises a means for actuating both of said first and second electrodes to create an electrical field.

60. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein said means for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field comprises a means for actuating one or both of said electrodes in one of a unipolar or a bipolar mode.

61. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein said means for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field is operative to actuate said at least one of said electrodes to stimulate said vagus nerve for a period of between about five and about ninety seconds.

62. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein said actuating means is operative to actuate said at least one of said electrodes to stimulate said vagus nerve for a period of between about five and about fifteen seconds.

63. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein said means for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field comprises a means for transmitting an impulse to said at least one of said electrodes at a frequency of between about one Hertz and about five hundred Hertz.

64. The apparatus of claim 63, wherein said means for transmitting an impulse to said at least one of said electrodes at a frequency of between about one Hertz and about five hundred Hertz comprises a means for transmitting an impulse to said at least one of said electrodes at a frequency of between about twenty Hertz and about eighty Hertz.

65. The apparatus of claim 64, wherein said means for transmitting an impulse to said at least one of said electrodes at a frequency of between about twenty Hertz and about eighty Hertz comprises a means for transmitting an impulse to said at least one of said electrodes at a frequency of about forty Hertz.

66. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein said means for actuating said electrode to create an electrical field comprises a means for transmitting electrical impulses having a duration of at least 0.1 msec for actuating said electrode.

67. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein said means for actuating said electrode to create an electrical field comprises al means for transmitting to said electrode an electrical impulse having an amplitude of from about one to about forty volts.

68. The apparatus of claim 67, wherein said means for transmitting to said electrode an electrical impulse having an amplitude of from about one to about forty volts comprises a means for transmitting to said electrode an electrical impulse having an amplitude of from about two to about six volts.

69. An apparatus for stimulating a vagus nerve of a patient, comprising:

a first electrode positioned within the esophagus of said patient;

a second electrode positioned on the neck of said patient; and

means operatively associated with said first and second electrodes for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field effective to stimulate said vagus nerve.

70. The apparatus of claim 69 wherein said second electrode is disposed on the neck of said patient approximately one centimeter to approximately five centimeters from said first electrode in said esophagus of said patient.

71. The apparatus of claim 69, wherein said means for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field comprises a means for actuating both of said first and second electrodes to create an electrical field.

72. The apparatus of claim 69, wherein said means for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field comprises a means for actuating one or both of said electrodes in one of a unipolar or a bipolar mode.

73. The apparatus of claim 69, wherein said means for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field is operative to actuate said at least one of said electrodes to stimulate said vagus nerve for a period of between about five and about ninety seconds.

74. The apparatus of claim 73, wherein said actuating means is operative to actuate said at least one of said electrodes to stimulate said vagus nerve for a period of between about five and about fifteen seconds.

75. The apparatus of claim 69, wherein said means for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field comprises a means for transmitting an impulse to said at least one of said electrodes at a frequency of between about one Hertz and about five hundred Hertz.

76. The apparatus of claim 75, wherein said means for transmitting an impulse to said at least one of said electrodes at a frequency of between about one Hertz and about five hundred Hertz comprises a means for transmitting an impulse to said at least one of said electrodes at a frequency of between about twenty Hertz and about eighty Hertz.

77. The apparatus of claim 76, wherein said means for transmitting an impulse to said at least one of said electrodes at a frequency of between about twenty Hertz and about eighty Hertz comprises a means for transmitting an impulse to said at least one of said electrodes at a frequency of about forty Hertz.

78. The apparatus of claim 69, wherein said means for actuating said electrode to create an electrical field comprises a means for transmitting electrical impulses having a duration of at least 0.1 msec for actuating said electrode.

79. The apparatus of claim 69, wherein said means for actuating said electrode to create an electrical field comprises a means for transmitting to said electrode an electrical impulse having an amplitude of from about one to about forty volts.

80. The apparatus of claim 79, wherein said means for transmitting to said electrode an electrical impulse having an amplitude of from about one to about forty volts comprises a means for transmitting to said electrode an electrical impulse having an amplitude of from about two to about six volts.

81. An apparatus for stimulating a vagus nerve of a patient, comprising:

a first electrode positioned within the trachea of said patient;

a second electrode positioned within a jugular vein of said patient; and

means operatively associated with said first and second electrodes for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field effective to stimulate said vagus nerve.

82. The apparatus of claim 81 wherein said second electrode is disposed within said jugular vein of said patient approximately one centimeter to approximately five centimeters from said first electrode in said trachea of said patient.

83. The apparatus of claim 81, wherein said means for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field comprises a means for actuating both of said first and second electrodes to create an electrical field.

84. The apparatus of claim 81, wherein said means for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field comprises a means for actuating one or both of said electrodes in one of a unipolar or a bipolar mode.

85. The apparatus of claim 81, wherein said means for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field is operative to actuate said at least one of said electrodes to stimulate said vagus nerve for a period of between about five and about ninety seconds.

86. The apparatus of claim 85, wherein said actuating means is operative to actuate said at least one of said electrodes to stimulate said vagus nerve for a period of between about five and about fifteen seconds.

87. The apparatus of claim 81, wherein said means for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field comprises a means for transmitting an impulse to said at least one of said electrodes at a frequency of between about one Hertz and about five hundred Hertz.

88. The apparatus of claim 87, wherein said means for transmitting an impulse to said at least one of said electrodes at a frequency of between about one Hertz and about five hundred Hertz comprises a means for transmitting an impulse to said at least one of said electrodes at a frequency of between about twenty Hertz and about eighty Hertz.

89. The apparatus of claim 88, wherein said means for transmitting an impulse to said at least one of said electrodes at a frequency of between about twenty Hertz and about eighty Hertz comprises a means for transmitting an impulse to said at least one of said electrodes at a frequency of about forty Hertz.

90. The apparatus of claim 81, wherein said means for actuating said electrode to create an electrical field comprises a means for transmitting electrical impulses having a duration of at least 0.1 msec for actuating said electrode.

91. The apparatus of claim 81, wherein said means for actuating said electrode to create an electrical field comprises a means for transmitting to said electrode an electrical impulse having an amplitude of from about one to about forty volts.

92. The apparatus of claim 91, wherein said means for transmitting to said electrode an electrical impulse having an amplitude of from about one to about forty volts comprises a means for transmitting to said electrode an electrical impulse having an amplitude of from about two to about six volts.

93. An apparatus for stimulating a vagus nerve of a patient, comprising:

a first electrode positioned within the trachea of said patient;

a second electrode positioned on the neck of said patient; and

means operatively associated with said first and second electrodes for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field effective to stimulate said vagus nerve.

94. The apparatus of claim 93 wherein said second electrode is disposed on the neck of said patient approximately one centimeter to approximately five centimeters from said first electrode in said trachea of said patient.

95. The apparatus of claim 93, wherein said means for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field comprises a means for actuating both of said first and second electrodes to create an electrical field.

96. The apparatus of claim 93, wherein said means for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field comprises a means for actuating one or both of said electrodes in one of a unipolar or a bipolar mode.

97. The apparatus of claim 93, wherein said means for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field is operative to actuate said at least one of said electrodes to stimulate said vagus nerve for a period of between about five and about ninety seconds.

98. The apparatus of claim 97, wherein said actuating means is operative to actuate said at least one of said electrodes to stimulate said vagus nerve for a period of between about five and about fifteen seconds.

99. The apparatus of claim 93, wherein said means for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field comprises a means for transmitting an impulse to said at least one of said electrodes at a frequency of between about one Hertz and about five hundred Hertz.

100. The apparatus of claim 99, wherein said means for transmitting an impulse to said at least one of said electrodes at a frequency of between about one Hertz and about five hundred Hertz comprises a means for transmitting an impulse to said at least one of said electrodes at a frequency of between about twenty Hertz and about eighty Hertz.

101. The apparatus of claim 100, wherein said means for transmitting an impulse to said at least one of said electrodes at a frequency of between about twenty Hertz and about eighty Hertz comprises a means for transmitting an impulse to said at least one of said electrodes at a frequency of about forty Hertz.

102. The apparatus of claim 93, wherein said means for actuating said electrode to create an electrical field comprises a means for transmitting electrical impulses having a duration of at least 0.1 msec for actuating said electrode.

103. The apparatus of claim 93, wherein said means for actuating said electrode to create an electrical field comprises a means for transmitting to said electrode an electrical impulse having an amplitude of from about one to about forty volts.

104. The apparatus of claim 103, wherein said means for transmitting to said electrode an electrical impulse having an amplitude of from about one to about forty volts comprises a means for transmitting to said electrode an electrical impulse having an amplitude of from about two to about six volts.

105. An apparatus for stimulating a vagus nerve of a patient, comprising:

a first electrode positioned within a jugular vein of said patient;

a second electrode positioned on the neck of said patient; and

means operatively associated with said first and second electrodes for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field effective to stimulate said vagus nerve.

106. The apparatus of claim 105 wherein said second electrode is disposed on the neck of said patient approximately one centimeter to approximately five centimeters from said first electrode in said jugular vein of said patient.

107. The apparatus of claim 105, wherein said means for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field comprises a means for actuating both of said first and second electrodes to create an electrical field.

108. The apparatus of claim 105, wherein said means for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field comprises a means for actuating one or both of said electrodes in one of a unipolar or a bipolar mode.

109. The apparatus of claim 105, wherein said means for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field is operative to actuate said at least one of said electrodes to stimulate said vagus nerve for a period of between about five and about ninety seconds.

110. The apparatus of claim 109, wherein said actuating means is operative to actuate said at least one of said electrodes to stimulate said vagus nerve for a period of between about five and about fifteen seconds.

111. The apparatus of claim 105, wherein said means for actuating at least one of said electrodes to create an electrical field comprises a means for transmitting an impulse to said at least one of said electrodes at a frequency of between about one Hertz and about five hundred Hertz.

112. The apparatus of claim 111, wherein said means for transmitting an impulse to said at least one of said electrodes at a frequency of between about one Hertz and about five hundred Hertz comprises a means for transmitting an impulse to said at least one of said electrodes at a frequency of between about twenty Hertz and about eighty Hertz.

113. The apparatus of claim 112, wherein said means for transmitting an impulse to said at least one of said electrodes at a frequency of between about twenty Hertz and about eighty Hertz comprises a means for transmitting an impulse to said at least one of said electrodes at a frequency of about forty Hertz.

114. The apparatus of claim 105, wherein said means for actuating said electrode to create an electrical field comprises a means for transmitting electrical impulses having a duration of at least 0.1 msec for actuating said electrode.

115. The apparatus of claim 105, wherein said means for actuating said electrode to create an electrical field comprises a means for transmitting to said electrode an electrical impulse having an amplitude of from about one to about forty volts.

116. The apparatus of claim 115, wherein said means for transmitting to said electrode an electrical impulse having an amplitude of from about one to about forty volts comprises a means for transmitting to said electrode an electrical impulse having an amplitude of from about two to about six volts.