System and method for automatic vagus nerve stimulation for post-stroke rehabilitation

US11918809B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS FOR AND ON BEHALF OF ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY · US

Inventors

• Vishvak Rangarajan · Peoria, US
• Devin Dhooge · Tempe, US
• Kiryl Sheleg · Scottsdale, US
• Nicholas Holmes · Tempe, US
• Jeffrey Kleim · Scottsdale, US
• Bradley Greger · San Fernando, US
• Shivanshi Shukla · Chandler, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 28, 2021
• Grant date: Mar 5, 2024
• Expiry date: Dec 26, 2041

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61N2005/0626
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A system and method for the automatic stimulation of a vagus nerve for post-stroke rehabilitation is disclosed. The system includes an application subsystem having an electrode positioned to stimulate the vagus nerve and coupled to a user outside of a surgical setting. The system also includes a waveform generator communicatively coupled to the electrode, and a triggering subsystem including a receiver configured to detect the presence of a tag. The triggering subsystem is communicatively coupled to waveform generator and is configured to automatically trigger the stimulation of the vagus nerve upon detecting the presence of the tag. The tag is located proximate a rehabilitation context such that the tag is detected when the user is using the rehabilitation context, resulting in the vagus nerve of the user being automatically stimulated by the electrode in response to the user's post-stroke rehabilitation training.