Auricular stimulation for inflammatory parasympathetic diseases

摘要

Device, systems, methods and kits can be useful for auricular stimulation. One such device relates to auricular stimulation. The device includes an earpiece having an electrode arrangement configured and arranged to deliver a series of electrical stimulation signals to an auricular location. A pulse-generator circuit is configured and arranged to generate the series of electrical stimulation signals having a stimulation profile, and to deliver the electrical stimulation signals to the electrode arrangement. A sensor is configured and arranged to generate a feedback signal that is responsive to the electrical stimulation signals. A feedback circuit is configured and arranged to modify the stimulation profile in response to the feedback signal.

主权项

1. A method of auricular stimulation, comprising the steps of:
analyzing using a software data regarding anatomic points of an ear of a subject and determining using the software a stimulation location on the subject's ear based on the analysis; generating a desired response surface for the subject, comprising:
obtaining one or more earpieces, each of the earpieces comprising a stimulation electrode and being associated with mathematically and statistically modeled outcomes of providing stimulation through that earpiece to an ear having one of a plurality of anatomical patterns;selecting a desired change to an initial state of the subject;determining anatomical parameters of the subject's ear;identifying those of the outcomes modeled for the anatomical patterns matching the anatomical parameters of the subject's ear; andcomparing the desired change to the initial state of the subject with the identified outcomes and determining the desired response surface based on the identified outcome that matches the desired change; selecting the earpiece associated with the desired response surface for delivering stimulation to the subject; positioning the stimulation electrode of the selected earpiece in the stimulation location; delivering through a stimulation device a series of electrical stimulation signals to the stimulation electrode of the selected earpiece according to a stimulation profile; and adjusting the stimulation profile, comprising the steps of:
obtaining by the stimulation device feedback to the stimulation signals;revising the desired response surface based on the feedback and performing an evaluation of the revised response surface against a threshold indicative of the effectiveness of mitigation of inflammatory disease processes;adjusting the stimulation profile based on the evaluation of the revised response surface; andproviding the adjusted stimulation profile for a delivery of electrical stimulation signals to the stimulation electrode.