ElectroCore, Inc.

Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for treating or preventing a developmental disorder, such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), an autism spectrum disorder, Asperger syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, overactive disorder, pervasive developmental disorder. A device comprises an electrode having a contact surface for contacting an outer skin surface of a patient and a power source coupled the electrode. The power source generates and transmits an electrical impulse having a frequency of about 1 kHz to about 20 kHz through the contact surface and the outer skin surface to a nerve within the patient. The electrical impulse is sufficient to modify the behavioral disorder in the patient.

Methods and devices are disclosed for the non-invasive treatment of autoimmune diseases or disorders through the delivery of energy to target nervous tissue, particularly the vagus nerve.. A device for treating an autoimmune disease or disorder comprises one or more electrodes having a contact surface configured for contacting an anterior portion of an outer skin surface of a neck of a patient and an energy source coupled to the electrodes. The energy source is configured to generate one or more electrical impulses and to transmit the electrical impulses to the electrodes and transcutaneously through the anterior portion of the outer skin surface of the neck of the patient at or near a vagus nerve. The electrical impulses are sufficient to modulate the vagus nerve and to inhibit inflammation and treat the disorder.

Vagal nerve stimulation devices and methods are provided for treating medical conditions, such as conditions associated with insufficient dopamine and/or endogenous opioids in the brain. A device includes 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 impulses is sufficient to modulate the vagus nerve and release dopamine and/or endogenous opioids in a brain of the patient.

Vagal nerve stimulation devices and methods are provided for treating medical conditions, such as conditions associated with insufficient dopamine and/or endogenous opioids in the brain. A device includes 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 impulses is sufficient to modulate the vagus nerve and release dopamine and/or endogenous opioids in a brain of the patient.

Devices and methods for non-invasive stimulation of nerves, such as the vagus nerve, include a housing and an electrode spaced from 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 positioned within the housing and operably coupled to the electrode, either wirelessly or via a lead or other wired connection. 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 bursts each with a frequency from about 1 Hz to about 100 Hz, wherein each of the bursts comprises 2 pulses to 20 pulses.

Devices, systems and methods are provided for treating post-operative symptoms following major surgery and/or for treating patients in critical or intensive care. A method includes positioning a contact surface of a device in contact with an outer skin surface of patient and applying an electrical impulse transcutaneously from the device through the outer skin surface of the patient to a vagus nerve in the patient for about 60 seconds to about 5 minutes. The electrical impulse is sufficient to modify the vagus nerve such that the symptoms are reduced. A stimulation protocol is provided that includes two or more doses administered per day for a period of time sufficient to relieve the symptoms. The doses may be administered before and after the patient's surgery, or while the patient is being treating in intensive care.

Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for treating a variety of diseases and disorders. A device for treating a disorder in a patient comprises a housing having a contact surface for contacting an outer skin surface of the patient and an energy source within the housing. The energy source is configured to transmit electrical impulses through the outer skin surface of the patient to a selected nerve within the patient. The electrical impulses include bursts of pulses having a burst frequency between 1 Hz and 5000 Hz and a burst duration between 100 microseconds and 20,000 microseconds.

A system includes: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the memory stores a first content; a medical device coupled to the processor; and a reader coupled to the processor, wherein the reader is configured to read a second content from a storage medium other than the memory such that the processor switches the medical device from a first mode to a second mode based on the first content corresponding to the second content.

Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for treating or preventing an autism spectrum disorder, a pervasive developmental disorder, or a disorder of psychological development. The methods comprise transmitting impulses of energy non-invasively to selected nerve fibers, particularly those in a vagus nerve. The nerve stimulation may be used as a behavior conditioning tool, by producing euphoria in an autistic individual. Vagus nerve stimulation is also used to modulate circulating serotonin levels in a pregnant woman so as to reduce the risk of having an autistic child; modulate the levels of growth factors within a child; promote balance of neuronal excitation/inhibition; modulate the activity of abnormal resting state neuronal networks; increase respiratory sinus arrhythmia; and avert episodes of motor stereotypies with the aid of forecasting methods.

Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for treating a variety of diseases and disorders that are primarily or at least partially driven by an imbalance in neurotransmitters in the brain, such as asthma, COPD, depression, anxiety, epilepsy, fibromyalgia, and the like. The invention involves the use of an energy source comprising magnetic and/or electrical energy that is transmitted non-invasively to, or in close proximity to, a selected nerve to temporarily stimulate, block and/or modulate the signals in the selected nerve such that neural pathways are activated to release inhibitory neurotransmitters in the patient's brain.