Device and methods for non-invasive electrical stimulation and their use for vagal nerve stimulation
US8874205B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 30, 2011 |
| Grant date | Oct 28, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 11, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N1/36114
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A non-invasive electrical stimulation device shapes an elongated electric field of effect that can be oriented parallel to a long nerve, such as a vagus nerve in a patient's neck, producing a desired physiological response in the patient. The stimulator comprises a source of electrical power, at least one electrode and a continuous electrically conducting medium in which the electrode(s) are in contact. The stimulation device is configured to produce a peak pulse voltage that is sufficient to produce a physiologically effective electric field in the vicinity of a target nerve, but not to substantially stimulate other nerves and muscles that lie between the vicinity of the target nerve and patient's skin. Current is passed through the electrodes in bursts of preferably five sinusoidal pulses, wherein each pulse within a burst has a duration of preferably 200 microseconds, and bursts repeat at preferably at 15-50 bursts per second.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.