ElectroCore, Inc.

Devices and methods for the non-invasive stimulation of nerves, such as the vagus nerve, include a housing and an electrode coupled to the housing. The electrode is configured to be positioned adjacent to, or in contact with, an outer skin surface of a patient. A source of energy is coupled to the housing and operably coupled to the electrode. The source of energy emits an electrical signal to the electrode such that the electrical signal passes through the outer skin surface of the user to a nerve at a target region in the patient sufficient to modulate the nerve. The electrical impulse comprises burst periods and constant periods and each burst period includes a plurality of pulses. The pulses have a frequency of about 1 kHz to about 20 kHz and alternate between a positive voltage and a negative voltage within each burst period.

Vagal nerve stimulation devices and methods are provided herein. A device comprises one or more electrodes having a contact surface for contacting an outer skin surface of a patient and an energy source coupled to the electrodes. The energy source generates one or more electrical impulses and transmits the electrical impulses to the electrodes and transcutaneously through the outer skin surface of the patient at or near a vagus nerve. The one or more electrical pulses comprise bursts of 2 to 20 pulses within each burst with each burst having a frequency of about 5 Hz to about 100 Hz.

A medical device, such as a neurostimulator, is provided that includes a housing, a power supply, a signal generator and one or more electrodes coupled to the housing. The signal generator is configured to apply one or more electrical impulses to the one or more electrodes for a period of time, the period of time being defined as a single dose. The device is configured to switch from an activated mode and a deactivated mode after specific number of single doses have been emitted by the signal generator.

Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for electrical stimulation of nerves to treat one or more symptoms in a user. The methods comprise transcutaneously transmitting electrical impulses to the nerve according to a treatment paradigm. The treatment paradigm may include generating and transmitting the electrical impulse as a single dose from about 30 seconds to about 5 minutes. The treatment paradigm may comprise a treatment session that includes applying each single dose for about 2 to 5 times during the day.

Devices and methods for the non-invasive stimulation of nerves, such as the vagus nerve, include a housing and an electrode coupled to the housing. The electrode is configured to be positioned adjacent to, or in contact with, an outer skin surface of a patient. A source of energy is coupled to the housing and operably coupled to the electrode. The source of energy emits an electrical impulse to the electrode such that the electrical impulse passes through the outer skin surface of the patient to a nerve at a target region in the patient sufficient to modulate the nerve. The electrical impulse comprises burst periods and constant periods, wherein each burst period includes 2 to 20 pulses and has a duration of less than 20,000 microseconds.

A medical device, such as a neurostimulator, is provided that includes a housing, a power supply, a signal generator and one or more electrodes coupled to the housing. The signal generator is configured to apply one or more electrical impulses to the one or more electrodes for a period of time, the period of time being defined as a single dose. The device is configured to switch from an activated mode and a deactivated mode after specific number of single doses have been emitted by the signal generator.

Methods are disclosed for electrical stimulation of nerves to treat one or more symptoms in a user. The methods comprise transcutaneously transmitting electrical impulses to the nerve according to a treatment paradigm. The treatment paradigm may include generating and transmitting the electrical impulse as a single dose from about 30 seconds to about 5 minutes. The treatment paradigm may comprise a treatment session of 2 to 4 times within an hour time period and/or as a single dose from 2 to 5 times during a day.

Systems, devices and methods are provided for stimulating one or more nerves within a user. A system comprises stimulator having an electrode configured for contacting the outer skin surface at a target location and an energy source coupled to the stimulator, The energy source is configured to generate at least one electrical impulse and to transmit the electrical impulse transcutaneously from the electrode through the outer skin surface of the user to a selected nerve in the user. In certain aspects, the systems and methods are particularly useful for non-medical purposes, such as reducing stress and anxiety, enhancing relaxation, improving sleep, energy, concentration and mood, increasing mental or physical performance, promoting mental health, recovery and wellness, generally improving the health and wellbeing of a user and/or for temporarily or permanently improving intelligence, learning capacity, memory retention, recall, mood, alertness and/or sleep efficiency in human beings.

Systems and methods for non-invasive nerve stimulation are provided. A method for treating a patient with a medical condition comprises contacting an outer skin surface of a patient with a contact surface of a stimulator, generating an electrical impulse, and transmitting the electrical impulse from the stimulator transcutaneously through the outer skin surface to a nerve within the patient. The method further includes detecting a physiological parameter of the patient during the transmitting and modifying one or more parameters of the electrical impulse applied to the nerve based on the physiological parameter. The physiological parameters may include heart rate, heart rate variability, blood pressure, electrocardiogram (ECG), electroencephalogram (EEG), respiration depth, respiration rate, core temperature, hydration, brain function, oxygenation, skin impedance, skin temperature, pupil diameter, electrodermal activity, vagal artery blood flow and/or cerebral blood flow