Selective nerve fiber stimulation for treating conditions

Abstract

Apparatus for treating a heart condition of a subject is provided, including an electrode device, which is adapted to be coupled to a vagus nerve of the subject. A control unit is adapted to drive the electrode device to apply to the vagus nerve a stimulating current, which is capable of inducing action potentials in a therapeutic direction in a first set and a second set of nerve fibers of the vagus nerve. The control unit is also adapted to drive the electrode device to apply to the vagus nerve an inhibiting current, which is capable of inhibiting the induced action potentials traveling in the therapeutic direction in the second set of nerve fibers, the nerve fibers in the second set having generally larger diameters than the nerve fibers in the first set.

1 .- 322 . (canceled)  
   
   
       323 . A method comprising: 
 driving a current into a nerve of a subject that modulates an aspect of sexual functioning of the subject;    configuring the current in a first mode so as to facilitate engorgement of erectile tissue of the subject; and    configuring the current in a second mode, different from the first mode, so as to facilitate an orgasmic response by the subject.    
   
   
       324 . The method according to  claim 323 , wherein the nerve includes a pelvic nerve, and wherein driving the current comprises driving the current into the pelvic nerve.  
   
   
       325 . The method according to  claim 323 , wherein driving the current comprises driving the current into a nerve of a male subject.  
   
   
       326 . The method according to  claim 323 , wherein driving the current comprises driving the current into a nerve of a female subject.  
   
   
       327 . The method according to  claim 323 , wherein driving the current comprises driving the current into a parasympathetic nerve of the subject.  
   
   
       328 . The method according to  claim 323 , wherein driving the current comprises driving the current into a sympathetic nerve of the subject.  
   
   
       329 . A method comprising: 
 driving a first current into a parasympathetic nerve of the subject;    configuring the first current to induce action potentials that facilitate engorgement of erectile tissue of the subject;    driving a second current into a sympathetic nerve of the subject; and    configuring the second current to induce action potentials that facilitate an orgasmic response by the subject.    
   
   
       330 . A method comprising: 
 driving a current into a sympathetic nerve of subject; and    configuring the current to induce action potentials that propagate in the nerve towards a central nervous system (CNS) of the subject, and collide with and inhibit natural action potentials propagating away from the CNS, which natural action potentials would otherwise inhibit engorgement of erectile tissue of the subject.    
   
   
       331 . A method according to  claim 330 , wherein driving the current comprises driving a first current, and comprising: 
 driving a second current into a parasympathetic nerve of the subject; and    configuring the current to induce action potentials that travel towards the CNS and collide with and inhibit natural action potentials propagating away from the CNS, which natural action potentials would otherwise inhibit an orgasmic response by the subject.