Vagal nerve stimulation for treating or preventing stroke or transient ischemic attack

Abstract

Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for reducing inflammation associated with an aneurysm in a patient. The methods comprise transmitting impulses of energy non-invasively to selected nerve fibers, particularly those in the vagus nerve. Vagus nerve stimulation is used to modulate the release of neurotransmitters in the brain and to reduce inflammation that may lead to the formation, growth, rupture or hemorrhage of an aneurysm.

1 . A device for treating symptoms of stroke or transient ischemic attack in a patient, the device comprising:
 one or more electrodes configured for contacting an outer skin surface of a neck of the patient; and   an energy source coupled to the electrodes, wherein the energy source generates at least one electrical impulse and transmits the at least one electrical impulse transcutaneously and non-invasively from the electrodes through the outer skin surface of the patient to a vagus nerve in the patient, wherein the electrical impulse is sufficient to modify the vagus nerve such that the symptoms of the stroke or transient ischemic attack are reduced.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the energy source is wirelessly coupled to the one or more electrodes. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising an electrical connector coupling the energy source to the one or more electrodes. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more electrodes are configured for attachment to the outer skin surface of the neck of the patient. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a controller coupled to the energy source and configured to transmit parameters for a stimulation protocol to the energy source. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , further comprising one or more sensors coupled to the controller and configured for measuring one or more physiological parameters of the patient associated with the electrical impulse. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the controller is configured to modify the parameters of the stimulation protocol based on the physiological parameters. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the stimulation protocol comprises a treatment paradigm includes transmitting the electrical impulse to the vagus nerve after the onset of the symptoms for a period of about 90 seconds to about three minutes. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the treatment paradigm further includes transmitting the electrical impulse to the vagus nerve for one or more doses, wherein each of the one or more doses has a period of about 90 seconds to about three minutes and wherein the doses are separated by a time frame of about five to 15 minutes. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical impulse comprises pulses having a frequency of about 1 kHZ to about 10 kHz. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical impulse comprises bursts of pulses, with each burst having a frequency of about 1 to about 100 bursts per second and each pulse has a duration of about 100 to about 1000 microseconds in duration. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the bursts each comprise about 2 to 20 pulses and the bursts are separated by an inter-burst period that comprises zero pulses. 
     
     
         13 . A method of for treating symptoms of stroke or transient ischemic attack in a patient, the method comprising:
 contacting one or more electrodes to an outer skin surface of a neck of the patient;   generating an electrical impulse; and   transmitting the electrical impulse transcutaneously and non-invasively from the electrodes through the outer skin surface of the patient to a vagus nerve in the patient, wherein the electrical impulse is sufficient to modify the vagus nerve such that the symptoms of the stroke or transient ischemic attack are reduced.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising wirelessly coupling the energy source to the one or more electrodes. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising coupling the energy source to the one or more electrodes with an electrical connector. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising attaching the one or more electrodes to the outer skin surface of the neck of the patient. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising providing parameters for a stimulation protocol to the energy source. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 measuring one or more physiological parameters of the patient associated with the electrical impulse; and   modifying the parameters of the stimulation protocol based on the physiological parameters.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the stimulation protocol comprises a treatment paradigm includes transmitting the electrical impulse to the vagus nerve after the onset of the symptoms for a period of about 90 seconds to about three minutes. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the treatment paradigm further includes transmitting the electrical impulse to the vagus nerve for one or more doses, wherein each of the one or more doses has a period of about 90 seconds to about three minutes and wherein the doses are separated by a time frame of about five to 15 minutes. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the electrical impulse comprises pulses having a frequency of about 1 kHZ to about 10 kHz. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the electrical impulse comprises bursts of pulses, with each burst having a frequency of about 1 to about 100 bursts per second and each pulse has a duration of about 100 to about 1000 microseconds in duration. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the bursts each comprise about 2 to 20 pulses and the bursts are separated by an inter-burst period that comprises zero pulses.