Methods and apparatus for treating anaphylaxis using electrical modulation

• US 8,483,835 B2
• Filed: 05/21/2012
• Issued: 07/09/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Electrocore, Llc
• Original Assignee: Electrocore, Llc
• Inventors: Errico, Joseph P., Mendez, Steven
• Primary Examiner(s): Manuel, George
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wieland, Robert N
• Application Number:
  US13/476,087
• Publication Number:
  US 20120232612A1
• Time in Patent Office: 414 Days
• Field of Search: 607/2, 607/3, 607/9, 607/45, 607/42
• US Class Current: 607/42
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36034 specified by the stimulation parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36053 adapted for vagal stimulation A61N1/36114 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36114 Cardiac control, e.g. by vagal stimulation stimulating the heart A61N1/362
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36153 Voltage A61N1/3616 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36171 Frequency
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36175 Pulse width or duty cycle

Abstract

Methods and devices for treating anaphylaxis, anaphylactic shock, bronchial constriction, and/or asthma include providing an electrical impulse to a selected region of the vagus nerve of a patient suffering from anaphylaxis to block and/or modulate nerve signals that would regulate the function of, for example, myocardial tissue, vasodilation/constriction and/or pulmonary tissue.

Claims

1. A device for treating bronchoconstriction in a patient comprising:

a power source;

one or more electrodes coupled to the power source and positionable exterior to the patient; and

wherein the power source is operable to generate a signal sufficient to reduce airway resistance in the patient when a signal is applied via the one or more electrodes to a selected nerve in an autonomic nervous system.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

an electrical impulse generator coupled to the power source and configured to generate the signal; and

a control unit in communication with the electrical impulse generator and coupled to the power source.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the signal has a frequency of between about 1 to 3000 Hz.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein the frequency is between about 10 to 50 Hz.

5. The device of claim 3 wherein the frequency is between about 15 to 35 Hz.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the signal has an amplitude of between about 1-12 volts.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the signal has a pulsed-on time of between about 50 microseconds to about 800 microseconds.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the signal has a pulsed-on time of between about 200 microseconds to about 400 microseconds.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein the one or more electrodes are positionable to apply the signal to a vagus nerve in a neck of a patient.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein the one or more electrodes are positionable to apply the signal to a right branch of a vagus nerve in a neck of a patient.

11. A device for treating bronchoconstriction in a patient comprising:

a power source;

one or more energy transmitters coupled to the power source and positionable exterior to the patient; and

wherein the power source is operable to generate a signal sufficient to increase airflow into the lungs of the patient when energy is applied via the one or more energy transmitters to a selected nerve in an autonomic nervous system.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein the energy transmitters are electrodes.

13. The device of claim 11 further comprising:

an electrical impulse generator coupled to the power source and configured to generate the signal; and

a control unit in communication with the electrical impulse generator and coupled to the power source.

14. The device of claim 11 wherein the signal has a frequency of between about 1 to 3000 Hz.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein the frequency is between about 10 to 50 Hz.

16. The device of claim 14 wherein the frequency is between about 15 to 35 Hz.

17. The device of claim 11 wherein the signal has an amplitude of between about 1 to 12 volts.

18. The device of claim 11 wherein the signal has a pulsed-on time of between about 50 to 800 microseconds.

19. The device of claim 11 wherein the signal has a pulsed-on time of between about 200 to 400 microseconds.

20. The device of claim 11 wherein the one or more energy transmitters are positionable to apply the signal to a vagus nerve in the neck of the patient.

21. The device of claim 11 wherein the one or more energy transmitters are positionable to apply the signal to a right branch of a vagus nerve in the neck of the patient.