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 device for treating rhinitis or sinusitis or rhinosinusitis in a patient comprising:
a housing having an electrically permeable contact surface for contacting an outer skin surface of a patient; and an energy source within the housing configured to generate an electric field sufficient to transmit an electric current through the outer skin surface of the patient to a vagus nerve of the patient, wherein the electric current is sufficient to at least partially relieve a symptom selected from a group of symptoms comprising nasal or paranasal sinus congestion, nasal or paranasal sinus stuffiness, nasal or paranasal sinus obstruction, nasal or paranasal sinus inflammation, nasal or paranasal sinus edema, nasal or paranasal sinus vein dilation or engorgement, nasal or paranasal sinus vein hyper-permeability, rhinorrhea, facial pain or pressure, mucus discharge, nasal or paranasal sinus itching, sneezing, conjunctivitis, lacrimation, and eye redness.