DEVICES AND METHODS FOR NON-INVASIVE ELECTRICAL STIMULATION AND THEIR USE FOR VAGAL NERVE STIMULATION ON THE NECK OF A PATIENT

摘要

A non-invasive electrical stimulation device shapes an elongated electric field of effect that can be oriented parallel to a long nerve, such as a vagus nerve in a patient's neck, producing a desired physiological response in the patient. The stimulator comprises a source of electrical power, at least one electrode and a continuous electrically conducting medium in which the electrode(s) are in contact. The stimulation device is configured to produce a peak pulse voltage that is sufficient to produce a physiologically effective electric field in the vicinity of a target nerve, but not to substantially stimulate other nerves and muscles that lie between the vicinity of the target nerve and patient's skin. Current is passed through the electrodes in bursts of preferably five sinusoidal pulses, wherein each pulse within a burst has a duration of preferably 200 microseconds, and bursts repeat at preferably at 15-50 bursts per second.

主权项

1. An apparatus for applying energy transcutaneously to a target region within a mammal, the apparatus comprising:
a source of energy for generating an electric impulse comprising bursts of pulses with each of the bursts having a frequency from about 1 Hz to about 100 Hz and with each of the pulses having a duration from about 100 to about 400 microseconds; at least one electrode; and wherein the at least one electrode is configured to transmit the electrical impulse through an outer skin surface of the mammal to the target region such that an electrical field is generated at the target region having an amplitude greater than about 10 V/m to modulate a nerve within the target region.