Systems and methods for vagal nerve stimulation
First Claim
1. A method for modulating a nerve within a body of a patient, the method comprising:
- contacting an electrically conductive interface of a handheld device against an outer skin surface of a patient, wherein the handheld device comprises an enclosure with an interior, a power source positioned within the interior, and an electrode positioned within the interior, wherein the electrode is coupled to the electrically conductive interface and the power source, wherein the enclosure includes the electrically conductive interface;
generating an electrical impulse via the power source;
transmitting, as the electrically conductive interface is in contact with the outer skin surface, the electrical impulse through the electrode and the electrically conductive interface of the enclosure transcutaneously and non-invasively through the outer skin surface of the patient to the nerve such that the electrical impulse modulates the nerve, wherein the nerve is located at a target region below the outer skin surface; and
filtering a high frequency component from the electrical impulse with a filter housed within the enclosure, wherein the filter is coupled to the electrode within the enclosure.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In a device, system and method for electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve to treat or prevent disorders in a patient, the device comprises a handheld device having one or more electrode interfaces for contacting the outer skin surface of a patient, and a power source and a signal generator coupled to the electrode/interfaces for applying one or more electrical impulses to a deep nerve within the patient, such as the vagus nerve. In certain embodiments, the device further comprises a filter situated in series between the signal generator and the electrode/interfaces for filtering out undesired high frequency components of the electrical impulses to create a cleaner, smoother signal. The filter may comprise an electrically conductive medium and/or a low-pass filter between the signal generator and the electrode/interface.
81 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method for modulating a nerve within a body of a patient, the method comprising:
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contacting an electrically conductive interface of a handheld device against an outer skin surface of a patient, wherein the handheld device comprises an enclosure with an interior, a power source positioned within the interior, and an electrode positioned within the interior, wherein the electrode is coupled to the electrically conductive interface and the power source, wherein the enclosure includes the electrically conductive interface; generating an electrical impulse via the power source; transmitting, as the electrically conductive interface is in contact with the outer skin surface, the electrical impulse through the electrode and the electrically conductive interface of the enclosure transcutaneously and non-invasively through the outer skin surface of the patient to the nerve such that the electrical impulse modulates the nerve, wherein the nerve is located at a target region below the outer skin surface; and filtering a high frequency component from the electrical impulse with a filter housed within the enclosure, wherein the filter is coupled to the electrode within the enclosure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for modulating a nerve within a body of a patient, the method comprising:
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contacting an exterior portion of a housing with an outer skin surface of the patient; generating an electrical impulse via a source of energy located in an interior of the housing; transmitting, as the exterior portion is in contact with the outer skin surface, the electrical impulse from the source of energy through an electrode in the interior of the housing and through the exterior portion of the housing such that the electrical impulse passes transcutaneously and non-invasively through the outer skin surface of the patient to the nerve within a target region below the outer skin surface of the patient such that the electrical impulse modulates the nerve; and filtering out a high frequency component from the electrical impulse with a filter positioned within the interior of the housing, wherein the filter is coupled to the electrode within the housing. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification