×

Implantable electroacupuncture device and method for treating depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety

  • US 9,198,828 B2
  • Filed: 09/28/2012
  • Issued: 12/01/2015
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2011
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

1. An Implantable ElectroAcupuncture Device (IEAD) for treating depression, bipolar disorder, or anxiety, adapted for application of electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation pulses substantially at or near at least one of acupoints GV20 and EXHN3 of a patient, comprising:

  • a small, thin, leadless coin-sized and coin-shaped IEAD housing having a symmetrical electrode configuration thereon that includes at least two electrodes/arrays, a longest linear dimension of the IEAD housing being no greater than about 25 mm, wherein at least one of said at least two electrodes/arrays comprises a central electrode/array located substantially in a center of a first surface of the IEAD housing, and wherein at least another of said at least two electrodes/arrays comprises a circumferential electrode/array located substantially around and at least 5 mm distant from the center of the central electrode/array, wherein the first surface of the IEAD housing when implanted is adapted to face selected target tissue at or near at least one of acupoints GV20 and EXHN3;

    pulse generation circuitry located within the IEAD housing and electrically coupled to the at least two electrodes/arrays, wherein said pulse generation circuitry, once turned on, is adapted to continuously deliver stimulation sessions in accordance with a specified stimulation regimen to the at least two electrodes/arrays adapted for placement at or near the patient'"'"'s body tissue near at least one of acupoints GV20 and EXHN3, said stimulation regimen defining the duration and rate at which a stimulation session is applied to the patient, said stimulation regimen requiring that the stimulation session have a duration of T3 minutes, where T3 is at least 10 minutes, and a rate of occurrence of once every T4 minutes, wherein the ratio of T3/T4 is no greater than 0.05, and wherein during each stimulation session EA stimulation pulses having one or more specified widths and amplitudes are generated at one or more specified rates;

    a primary battery contained within the IEAD housing and electrically coupled to the pulse generation circuitry, said primary battery having a nominal output voltage of 3 volts, and an internal impedance greater than 5 ohms; and

    a magnetic sensor contained within the IEAD housing responsive to a presence or absence of a magnetic field placed near the IEAD housing, the sensed presence/absence of the magnetic field in a prescribed sequence allowing the pulse generation circuitry to be turned on, thereby allowing limited external control of the IEAD.

View all claims
  • 4 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×