NON-INVASIVE MAGNETIC OR ELECTRICAL NERVE STIMULATION TO TREAT GASTROPARESIS, FUNCTIONAL DYSPEPSIA, AND OTHER FUNCTIONAL GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS

摘要

Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for treating or preventing gastroparesis, functional dyspepsia, and other functional gastrointestinal disorders. The methods comprise transmitting impulses of energy non-invasively to selected nerve fibers, particularly those in a vagus nerve. The methods provide damaged interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) with trophic factors via vagal afferent nerve fibers, thereby reversing ICC damage, and as a consequence improving gastric motility. The methods also increase levels of inhibitory neurotransmitters in the brain so as to decrease neural activity within the area postrema, or they deactivate a resting state neural network containing parts of the anterior insula and anterior cingulate cortex, which will thereby reduce abnormal interoception and visceral hypersensitivity.

主权项

1. A device for treating or preventing at least one of gastroparesis, functional dyspepsia or ileus in a patient comprising:
a housing having an electrically conductive, non-porous interface for contacting an outer skin surface of the patient; one or more electrodes within the housing; an electrically conductive fluid within the housing coupling the one or more electrodes to the interface; an energy source coupled to the one or more electrodes and configured to generate an electric field sufficient to transmit one or more electrical impulses to selected nerve fibers in the patient; and wherein the one or more electrical impulses is sufficient to modulate the selected nerve fibers to treat or prevent at least one of gastroparesis, functional dyspepsia or ileus in the patient.