Vagal nerve stimulation techniques for treatment of epileptic seizures
First Claim
1. A system for detecting and responding to a seizure in a patient having epilepsy, comprising:
- (a) at least one sensor configured to sense at least one of a heart rate and a beat interval;
(b) a microprocessor configured to determine an onset of the seizure based on one or more heart characteristics, the one or more heart characteristics including a non-exertional increase in heart rate, a decrease in heart rate, an increase in R-R variability and a decrease in R-R variability;
wherein the microprocessor is further configured to provide a warning of the seizure based on a determination of a seizure onset to a second device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system using electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve to treat epilepsy with minimized or no effect on the heart. Treatment includes an implantable signal generator, one or more implantable electrodes for electrically stimulating a predetermined stimulation site of the vagus nerve, and a sensor for sensing characteristics of the heart such as heart rate. Heart rate information from the sensor can be used to determine whether the vagus nerve stimulation is adversely affecting the heart. Once threshold parameters are met, the vagus nerve stimulation may be stopped or adjusted. An alternative embodiment includes a modified pacemaker to maintain the heart in desired conditions during vagus nerve stimulation. In another embodiment, a modified pacemaker determines whether a vagus nerve is being stimulated, whereupon the modified pacemaker may control the heart to maintain it within desired conditions during the vagus nerve stimulation.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A system for detecting and responding to a seizure in a patient having epilepsy, comprising:
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(a) at least one sensor configured to sense at least one of a heart rate and a beat interval; (b) a microprocessor configured to determine an onset of the seizure based on one or more heart characteristics, the one or more heart characteristics including a non-exertional increase in heart rate, a decrease in heart rate, an increase in R-R variability and a decrease in R-R variability;
wherein the microprocessor is further configured to provide a warning of the seizure based on a determination of a seizure onset to a second device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A system for detecting and responding to a seizure in a patient having epilepsy, comprising:
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(a) at least one sensor configured to sense a heart rate; (b) a microprocessor configured to determine an onset of the seizure based on one or more heart rate characteristics;
wherein the microprocessor is further configured to provide a warning of the seizure based on a determination of a seizure onset to a second device; and(c) at least one electrode coupled to a cranial nerve of the patient and an electrical signal generator configured to provide an electrical stimulation to the cranial nerve. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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22. An apparatus for responding to a seizure in a patient having epilepsy, comprising:
a microprocessor configured to receive at least one of a heart rate and a heart beat interval from a sensor, the microprocessor further configured to determine an onset of the seizure based on one or more heart characteristics, the one or more heart characteristics including one or more of a non-exertional increase in heart rate, a decrease in heart rate, an increase in R-R variability and a decrease in R-R variability;
wherein the microprocessor is further configured to provide a warning of the seizure based on a determination of a seizure onset to a second device.- View Dependent Claims (23)
Specification