Devices and methods for vagus nerve stimulation
First Claim
1. A catheter device for delivering an electric pulse to a vagus nerve, comprisinga distal region anda proximal region,said distal region having at least one expandable electrode and an electrode expanding means, the at least one expandable electrode being longitudinally arranged,said proximal region having an electrical connecting means for applying an electric pulse to the expandable electrode in order to achieve controlled intermittent asystole by stimulating the vagus nerve.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for electrically inducing, pharmacologically maintaining cardiac asystole. The present invention also provides cutaneous array electrodes (900) that may be used non-invasive to stimulate the vagus nerve.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A catheter device for delivering an electric pulse to a vagus nerve, comprising
a distal region and a proximal region, said distal region having at least one expandable electrode and an electrode expanding means, the at least one expandable electrode being longitudinally arranged, said proximal region having an electrical connecting means for applying an electric pulse to the expandable electrode in order to achieve controlled intermittent asystole by stimulating the vagus nerve.
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15. A nasogastric tube electrode for stimulating a vagus nerve comprising
a nasogastric tube having an inflatable means of expanding an electrode and an electrode attached to said inflatable means so that when the inflatable means is inflated, the electrode contracts the inner surface of the trachea and stimulates the vagus nerve, and a means of supplying an electric pulse to said electrode in order to achieve controlled intermittent asystole.
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19. A nasogastric tube electrode device for stimulating a vagus nerve comprising
a nasogastric tube having at least one expandable electrode thereon, so that the electrode contacts a wall of the esophagus when the electrode is expanded and stimulates the vagus nerve, and wherein the electrode has a means for connection to an electrical pulsing means in order to achieve controlled intermittent asystole.
Specification