ELECTRICAL AND MAGNETIC STIMULATORS USED TO TREAT MIGRAINE/SINUS HEADACHE, RHINITIS, SINUSITIS, RHINOSINUSITIS, AND COMORBID DISORDERS

摘要

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation devices and magnetic stimulation devices are disclosed, along with methods of treating medical disorders using energy that is delivered noninvasively by such devices. The disorders comprise migraine and other primary headaches such as cluster headaches, including nasal or paranasal sinus symptoms that resemble an immune-mediated response (“sinus” headaches). The devices and methods may also be used to treat rhinitis, sinusitis, or rhinosinusitis, irrespective of whether those disorders are co-morbid with a headache. They may also be used to treat other disorders that may be co-morbid with migraine or cluster headaches, such as anxiety disorders. In preferred embodiments of the disclosed methods, one or both of the patient's vagus nerves are stimulated non-invasively. In other embodiments, parts of the sympathetic nervous system and/or the adrenal glands are stimulated.

主权项

1. A method of treating primary headache in a patient, comprising:
positioning a device adjacent to a skin surface of a neck of the patient; generating one or more electrical impulses with the device; and transmitting the electrical impulses to selected nerve fibers associated with a vagus nerve in the patient, the electrical impulses being sufficient to at least partially relieve a symptom of the primary headache.