Treatment of Conditions Through Modulation of the Autonomic Nervous System

Abstract

Methods are provided for treating a subject for a condition by modulating at least a portion of the subject's autonomic nervous system. In accordance with certain embodiments of the subject methods, at least a portion of a subject's autonomic nervous system is electrically or pharmacologically modulated in a manner that is effective to treat the subject for the condition. The subject methods find use in the treatment of a variety of different conditions, where such conditions include various disease conditions. Also provided are systems and kits for use in practicing the subject methods.

1 - 116 . (canceled) 
     
     
         117 . An implantable electrostimulatory device for treating inflammation, the device comprising:
 an electrode for directly applying electrical energy to at least a portion of the vagus nerve of a subject;   a battery operatively connected to the electrode; and   a programmer operatively connected to the electrode and the battery, wherein the device is configured to be implanted within the subject on or adjacent to the vagus nerve.   
     
     
         118 . The device according to  claim 117 , wherein the electrode is monopolar. 
     
     
         119 . The device according to  claim 117 , wherein the electrode is multipolar. 
     
     
         120 . The device according to  claim 119 , wherein the electrode is bipolar. 
     
     
         121 . The device according to  claim 117 , wherein the device comprises a plurality of electrodes. 
     
     
         122 . The device according to  claim 121 , wherein the device comprises two electrodes. 
     
     
         123 . The device according to  claim 117 , further comprising a computer readable medium storing programming that, when executed, causes the device to:
 a) activate to deliver an electrical signal to the vagus nerve; and   b) terminate the delivery of the electrical signal.   
     
     
         124 . The device according to  claim 123 , wherein the electrical signal comprises a plurality of pulses. 
     
     
         125 . The device according to  claim 123 , wherein the programming, when executed, further causes the device to select appropriate parameters of the electrical signal and direct the electrode to implement the parameters. 
     
     
         126 . The device according to  claim 125 , wherein the electrical signal comprises a current wave of 1 Hz to 2500 Hz. 
     
     
         127 . The device according to  claim 125 , wherein the electrical signal comprises a voltage of 0.1 V to 50 V. 
     
     
         128 . The device according to  claim 125 , wherein the electrical signal comprises a pulse width of 1 microsecond to 2000 microseconds. 
     
     
         129 . The device according to  claim 117 , wherein the device further comprises a radiofrequency receiver connected to the programmer for remote control of the device. 
     
     
         130 . A system for treating inflammation, the system comprising:
 an implantable electrostimulatory device according to  claim 129 ; and   an external controller comprising a transmitter coupled to the radiofrequency receiver for remotely modulating one or more parameters of the implantable electrostimulatory device.   
     
     
         131 . The system according to  claim 130 , further comprising a magnet that, when brought into proximity of the battery, modulates the battery. 
     
     
         132 . The system according to  claim 130 , wherein the system is an open-loop controlled system. 
     
     
         133 . The system according to  claim 130 , wherein the one or more parameters may be adjusted by a physician. 
     
     
         134 . The system according to  claim 130 , wherein the one or more parameters may be adjusted by the subject. 
     
     
         135 . The system according to  claim 130 , wherein the system is a closed-loop controlled system.