Modulating function of the facial nerve system or related neural structures via the ear
First Claim
1. An apparatus, comprising:
- an insulating guide sheath moveable toward and away from an ear of a mammalian subject, the insulating guide sheath including a guide piece that is configured to enter an ear canal of the mammalian subject, and an external portion that is attached to the guide piece and that is configured to be placed against an external ear of the mammalian subject, the guide piece and the external portion being axially aligned;
a coil with elongated ends enclosed within the external portion of the insulating guide sheath, wherein the coil is disposed to be placed in proximity to the ear while within the external portion by insertion of the guide piece within the ear canal to position the external portion against the external ear;
a stimulus generator in electrical communication with the coil through the elongated ends for supplying current to the coil such that the current flowing through the coil generates a stimulating magnetic field from the coil, wherein;
the guide piece within the ear canal is configured to position the external portion containing the coil such that the stimulating magnetic field from the coil is oriented toward the ear canal for stimulating a neural structure of a facial nerve system of the mammalian subject through the ear,the guide piece encloses a magnetic material and has a length that is perpendicular to a plane of the coil, the magnetic material configured to shape, amplify, or focus the stimulating magnetic field generated by the coil within the ear canal, andthe coil, the external portion of the insulating guide sheath surrounding the coil, the guide piece, and the magnetic material have axially aligned central openings that are penetrable to light and sound; and
a power source in electrical communication with the stimulus generator for providing power to the stimulus generator for supplying the current to the coil.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Stimulation of the facial nerve system (e.g., electrically, electromagnetically, etc.) in stroke patients will cause dilation of occluded arteries and dilation of surrounding arteries, allowing for blood flow to circumvent the obstruction and reach previously-deprived tissue. The device approaches the facial nerve and its branches in the vicinity of the ear. In use, the device can be inserted into the ear canal or placed in proximity to the ear in order to stimulate the facial nerve system without puncturing the tympanic membrane (e.g., using an electromagnetic field). The device can also be advanced into the middle ear through a puncture created in the tympanic membrane. Branches of the facial nerve in the middle ear can then be stimulated directly (e.g., by application of electrical current). The device can be used in the emergency treatment of acute stroke or as chronically-implanted/inserted variations for long-term maintenance of blood flow to the brain and stroke prevention.
118 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
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an insulating guide sheath moveable toward and away from an ear of a mammalian subject, the insulating guide sheath including a guide piece that is configured to enter an ear canal of the mammalian subject, and an external portion that is attached to the guide piece and that is configured to be placed against an external ear of the mammalian subject, the guide piece and the external portion being axially aligned; a coil with elongated ends enclosed within the external portion of the insulating guide sheath, wherein the coil is disposed to be placed in proximity to the ear while within the external portion by insertion of the guide piece within the ear canal to position the external portion against the external ear; a stimulus generator in electrical communication with the coil through the elongated ends for supplying current to the coil such that the current flowing through the coil generates a stimulating magnetic field from the coil, wherein; the guide piece within the ear canal is configured to position the external portion containing the coil such that the stimulating magnetic field from the coil is oriented toward the ear canal for stimulating a neural structure of a facial nerve system of the mammalian subject through the ear, the guide piece encloses a magnetic material and has a length that is perpendicular to a plane of the coil, the magnetic material configured to shape, amplify, or focus the stimulating magnetic field generated by the coil within the ear canal, and the coil, the external portion of the insulating guide sheath surrounding the coil, the guide piece, and the magnetic material have axially aligned central openings that are penetrable to light and sound; and a power source in electrical communication with the stimulus generator for providing power to the stimulus generator for supplying the current to the coil. - 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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Specification