Abstract:
A battery-operated transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator (TENS) to treat headache pain in an abortive and/or preventive manner. The TENS unit and its electrodes are built into a unitary device which facilitates a self-administered treatment. In some embodiments, the pulses are monophasic. In other embodiments, pairs of biphasic pulses are provided, wherein each pair of biphasic pulses includes a first pulse having a first polarity separated by a gap in time from a second pulsed having an opposite polarity. In some embodiments, each pulse in each biphasic pair is of a duration equal to that of the other pulse of the pair. In some embodiments, the duration of each pulse is between about 50 microseconds and about 400 microseconds, and the gap in time between pulses of a pair is between about 50 and 100 microseconds.
Abstract:
A device and related method of use are disclosed which employ electrically-conductive wheels to massage and contact the skin to deliver electrical current. The present invention has both cosmetic and drug applications. In a cosmetic application, the rolling action of the wheels provides a light pressure skin massage that is important to reduce the appearance of skin surface irregularities. In a drug application, the device may be used to deliver ingredients of a conductive gel to or into the skin.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein are methods for identifying and targeting autonomic and autonomic-related brain regions. In one embodiment, a method of identifying a brain region in a patient comprises administering to the patient a targeting agent that activates or inhibits a brain region and imaging the brain region.
Abstract:
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for collecting and transferring physiological data. Different physiological monitoring appliances can be attached to a portable physiological data collection device. Each physiological monitoring appliance can collect a different physiological data (blood glucose data, heart rate data, etc.) from an individual. Different physiological data can be collected and stored at the portable physiological data collection device. In response to a triggering event, a connection can be established to an external computer system. The stored physiological data can be transferred over the established connection to the external computer system. In some embodiments, the external computer system is a healthcare server that shares collected physiological data as well as other healthcare information with designated entities (e.g., family, doctors, etc.). The healthcare server can share healthcare information in accordance with patient configured rules so that patients have control over dissemination their healthcare information.
Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to methods, devices, and systems used for the treatment of and/or promoting recovery from various neurological disorders and conditions, including epilepsy and other seizure disorders and movement and other related disorders; for promoting recovery from acute or chronic brain injury (e.g. stroke, hypoxia/ischemia, head trauma, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and other forms of brain injury, for awakening and/or promoting the recovery of patients in various levels of coma, altered mental status or vegetative state); or for promoting recovery from chronic daily headache and migraine and related disorders via external (cutaneous) stimulation of the sensory branches of the trigeminal nerve in the face and forehead. More specifically, devices and electrode assemblies configured for stimulation of the supraorbital, supratrochlear, infraorbital, auriculotemporal, zygomaticotemporal, zygomaticoorbital, zygomaticofacial, nasal and infratrochlear nerves are disclosed.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein are methods for identifying and targeting autonomic and autonomic-related brain regions. In one embodiment, a method of identifying a brain region in a patient comprises administering to the patient a targeting agent that activates or inhibits a brain region and imaging the brain region.
Abstract:
A method system for modulating the energy expenditure and/or the expressed brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the brain of an individual is performed by a system that includes a control device that generates a stimulation pattern from a predetermined set of stimulation parameters, and that converts the stimulation pattern into a stimulation signal. A stimulation signal delivery mechanism, configured for implantation into a selected part of the brain, receives the stimulation signal from the control device and delivers the signal to the selected part of the brain. The stimulation signal may be an electrical signal delivered by a brain-implantable electrode, or a chemical signal in the form of a drug dosage regimen delivered by an implantable micropump under the control of the control device. Modulation of the energy expenditure and/or BDNF is achieved by the stimulation of the hypothalamus, either directly or indirectly, by the stimulation signal.
Abstract:
A device may be implanted subcutaneously with an attached catheter inserted within, e.g., the peritoneal cavity of a subject. The catheter and/or device may also be inserted into another space, e.g., subcutaneous, vascular, peritoneal, cerebrospinal, pleural spaces, etc. The peritoneal fluid which normally collects and/or flows through the peritoneal cavity may be detected by the catheter and analyzed via the device to detect the concentration of glucose within the fluid.
Abstract:
A battery-operated transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator (TENS) to treat headache pain in an abortive and/or preventive manner. The TENS unit and its electrodes are built into a unitary device which facilitates a self-administered treatment. In some embodiments, the pulses are monophasic. In other embodiments, pairs of biphasic pulses are provided, wherein each pair of biphasic pulses includes a first pulse having a first polarity separated by a gap in time from a second pulsed having an opposite polarity. In some embodiments, each pulse in each biphasic pair is of a duration equal to that of the other pulse of the pair. In some embodiments, the duration of each pulse is between about 50 microseconds and about 400 microseconds, and the gap in time between pulses of a pair is between about 50 and 100 microseconds.
Abstract:
The present invention provides systems, devices, and methods for using the same for activating (stimulating) the baroreflex system of a patient using a baroreflex activation system with incrementally changing therapy intensity by sensing/monitoring/interpreting sensed data.