NON-INVASIVE VAGUS NERVE STIMULATION DEVICES AND METHODS TO TREAT OR AVERT ATRIAL FIBRILLATION

摘要

Energy is transmitted noninvasively to a patient using electrode-based stimulation devices or magnetic stimulation devices that are designed to non-invasively stimulate nerves selectively. The devices produce impulses that are used to treat atrial fibrillation, by stimulating a vagus nerve of a patient. The devices are also used to forecast the imminent onset of atrial fibrillation and then avert it by stimulating a vagus nerve.

主权项

1. A device for treating atrial fibrillation and/or averting an imminent episode of atrial fibrillation in a patient comprising:
a housing having an electrically permeable contact surface for contacting an outer skin surface of the patient; an energy source within the housing configured to generate an electric field sufficient to transmit one or more electrical impulses through the outer skin surface of the patient to a nerve at a target region within the patient; wherein the one or more electrical impulses comprise bursts of pulses with each burst having a frequency of about 3 to about 100 Hz and each pulse have a duration of about 50 to about 1000 microseconds and wherein the one or more electrical impulses are sufficient to at least one of treat the atrial fibrillation or avert the imminent episode of atrial fibrillation.