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Devices and methods for non-invasive capacitive electrical stimulation and their use for vagus nerve stimulation on the neck of a patient

  • US 8,874,227 B2
  • Filed: 07/15/2011
  • Issued: 10/28/2014
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2009
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A device for applying energy transcutaneously to a target nerve within a patient comprising:

  • a handheld enclosure having an interface comprised of a dielectric material on at least a portion of an outer surface of the handheld enclosure, the interface having an inner surface and an outer surface;

    a source of energy for generating an electric field in the vicinity of a target nerve;

    an electrode housed within the enclosure and coupled to the source of energy, wherein the electrode is electrically coupled to the inner surface of the interface; and

    wherein the source of energy is configured for applying an electrical impulse to the electrode such that the electrical field is capacitively coupled across the interface and the outer surface of the patient'"'"'s skin to generate an electrical impulse at the target nerve within the patient sufficient to modulate the target nerve.

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