Vagus nerve stimulation via unidirectional propagation of action potentials

Patent 7292890 Issued on November 6, 2007. Estimated Expiration Date:

June 20, 2022. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

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Inventors

Assignee

Advanced Bionics Corporation

Application

No. 10176722 filed on 06/20/2002

US Classes:

607/45, Treating mental or emotional disorder128/903, RADIO TELEMETRY607/2, Electrical therapeutic systems607/72, Pulse signal600/544, Detecting brain electric signal607/55, Promoting auditory function600/375, Anchored607/118, Applicator placed around stimulated nerve607/40, Stimulating bladder or gastrointestinal tract607/46, Electrical treatment of pain607/3, Combined with nonelectrical therapy607/62, Output controlled by sensor responsive to body or interface condition607/5Cardioverting/defibrillating

Examiners

Primary: Layno, Carl H.
Assistant: Malamud, Deborah

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Fish & Richardson P.C.

Foreign Patent References

WO-98/37926 WO 09/01/1998
WO-98/43700 WO 10/01/1998
WO-98/43701 WO 10/01/1998
WO-01/60445 WO 08/01/2001
WO-01/76690 WO 10/01/2001
WO-02/058782 WO 08/01/2002
WO-02/068042 WO 09/01/2002
WO-02/092165 WO 11/01/2002
03/018113 WO 03/01/2003
WO-03/018113 WO 03/01/2003

International Class

A61N 1/05

Abstract

Methods of stimulating a vagus nerve include providing at least one implantable stimulator with at least two electrodes, configuring the electrodes to apply stimulation that unidirectionally propagates action potentials along a vagus nerve, and applying the stimulation to the vagus nerve to effectively select afferent fibers, thereby treating at least one of epilepsy and depression while limiting side effects of bidirectional stimulation. At least one of the electrodes comprises a leadsless electrode.

Other References

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