Stimulator for auricular branch of vagus nerve

摘要

Devices and methods to stimulate the auricular branch of the vagus nerve are provided. Various device embodiments comprise a lead, a neural stimulation circuit, and a controller. The lead has a neural stimulation electrode. The neural stimulation circuit is connected to the lead to deliver a neural stimulation signal adapted to stimulate the auricular nerve branch using the neural stimulation electrode. The controller is connected to the neural stimulation circuit and is adapted to control delivery of the neural stimulation signal from the neural stimulation circuit to provide a vagal stimulation therapy. In various embodiments, the electrode is adapted to be placed in an external auditory canal. In various embodiments, the electrode includes a transcutaneous neural stimulation electrode adapted to be placed behind an ear.

主权项

1. A device, comprising:
a lead with a neural stimulation electrode adapted to be placed past a conch of an outer ear into an external auditory canal to target an auricular nerve branch for neural stimulation, wherein the auricular nerve branch innervates surfaces of the outer ear and skin over a parotid gland and mastoid process near the outer ear, and wherein the neural stimulation electrode is configured to be appropriately placed within the external auditory canal effectively proximate to the outer ear near the auricular nerve branch to deliver stimulation from the external auditory canal out toward the auricular nerve branch; a neural stimulation circuit connected to the lead to deliver a neural stimulation signal from the neural stimulation electrode appropriately placed within the external auditory canal out toward the auricular nerve branch, the neural stimulation circuit configured to deliver the neural stimulation signal with stimulation parameters effective to elicit depolarization of the auricular nerve branch from the appropriately placed neural stimulation electrode; and a controller connected to the neural stimulation circuit and adapted to control delivery of the neural stimulation signal from the neural stimulation circuit to control depolarization of the auricular nerve branch, the controller configured to provide a vagal stimulation therapy using controlled depolarization of the auricular nerve branch.