Abstract: Non-invasive electrical nerve stimulation devices and magnetic stimulation devices are disclosed, along with methods of treating medical disorders using energy that is delivered noninvasively by such devices. The disorders comprise migraine and other primary headaches such as cluster headaches, including sinus symptoms that resemble an immune-mediated response (“sinus” headaches), irrespective of whether those symptoms arise from an allergy that is co-morbid with the headache. The disclosed methods may also be used to treat other disorders that may be co-morbid with migraine headaches, such as anxiety disorders. In preferred embodiments of the disclosed methods, one or both of the patient's vagus nerves are stimulated non-invasively. In other embodiments, parts of the sympathetic nervous system and/or the adrenal glands are stimulated.

Abstract: Chemical permeation enhancers (CPEs) improve access of local anesthetics to the nerve, thereby improving their performance. Surfactants, representing three CPE sub-groups: anionic, cationic, and nonionic surfactants, were co-injected with tetrodotoxin (TTX) or bupivacaine at the sciatic nerve of Sprague-Dawley rats. All enhancers produced marked concentration-dependent improvements in the frequency and duration of block with TTX but not bupivacaine. An in vitro toxicity assay showed a wide range of CPE myotoxicity, but in vivo histological assessment showed no signs of muscle or nerve damage at concentrations of CPEs that produced a half-maximal increase in the duration of block of TTX. There was no systematic relationship between the enhancers' charge or hydrophobicity and their enhancement of block duration or potency.

Abstract: Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation devices and magnetic stimulation devices are disclosed, along with methods of treating medical disorders using energy that is delivered noninvasively by such devices. The disorders comprise migraine and other primary headaches such as cluster headaches, including nasal or paranasal sinus symptoms that resemble an immune-mediated response (“sinus” headaches). The devices and methods may also be used to treat rhinitis, sinusitis, or rhinosinusitis, irrespective of whether those disorders are co-morbid with a headache. They may also be used to treat other disorders that may be co-morbid with migraine or cluster headaches, such as anxiety disorders. In preferred embodiments of the disclosed methods, one or both of the patient's vagus nerves are stimulated non-invasively. In other embodiments, parts of the sympathetic nervous system and/or the adrenal glands are stimulated.

Abstract: Non-invasive electrical nerve stimulation devices and magnetic stimulation devices are disclosed, along with methods of treating medical disorders using energy that is delivered noninvasively by such devices. The disorders comprise migraine and other primary headaches such as cluster headaches, including sinus symptoms that resemble an immune-mediated response (“sinus” headaches), irrespective of whether those symptoms arise from an allergy that is co-morbid with the headache. The disclosed methods may also be used to treat other disorders that may be co-morbid with migraine headaches, such as anxiety disorders. In preferred embodiments of the disclosed methods, one or both of the patient's vagus nerves are stimulated non-invasively. In other embodiments, parts of the sympathetic nervous system and/or the adrenal glands are stimulated.

Abstract: Chemical permeation enhancers (CPEs) improve access of local anesthetics to the nerve, thereby improving their performance. Surfactants, representing three CPE sub-groups: anionic, cationic, and nonionic surfactants, were co-injected with tetrodotoxin (TTX) or bupivacaine at the sciatic nerve of Sprague-Dawley rats. All enhancers produced marked concentration-dependent improvements in the frequency and duration of block with TTX but not bupivacaine. An in vitro toxicity assay showed a wide range of CPE myotoxicity, but in vivo histological assessment showed no signs of muscle or nerve damage at concentrations of CPEs that produced a half-maximal increase in the duration of block of TTX. There was no systematic relationship between the enhancers' charge or hydrophobicity and their enhancement of block duration or potency.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems, apparatus and methods for treating nerve disorders in the brain. An electrode is introduced into a patient's sinus cavity and an electrical impulse is applied to the electrode to modulate one or more target nerves in the brain to treat the disorder. In preferred embodiments, the electrode is positioned within a sinus cavity adjacent to or near the frontal cortex of the brain and the electrical signal is sufficient to modulate, stimulate and/or inhibit nerves within the frontal cortex. The electrode may be movable between a collapsed or compact configuration for introduction into the sinus cavity and an expanded configuration for contacting tissue within the sinus cavity to deliver the electrical impulse through the tissue to the target nerves in the brain.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and devices for treating hypotension, such as in cases of shock, including septic shock, anaphylactic shock and hypovolemia. The method includes the step of applying at least one electrical impulse to at least one selected region of a parasympathetic nervous system of the patient. The electrical impulse is sufficient to modulate one or more nerves of the parasympathetic nervous system to increase the ratio of blood pressure to heart rate and relieve the condition and/or extend the patient's life.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for treating or preventing a stroke and/or a transient ischemic attack in a patient. The methods comprise transmitting impulses of energy non-invasively to selected nerve fibers, particularly those in a vagus nerve. Vagus nerve stimulation is used to modulate the release of GABA, norepinephrine, and/or serotonin, thereby providing neuroprotection to the patient; to modulate the activity of resting state neuronal networks, particularly the sensory-motor network or resting state networks containing the insula; and to avert a stroke or transient ischemic attack that has been forecasted.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve to treat or prevent disorders in a patient. The methods comprise transmitting impulses of energy to the vagus nerve according to a treatment paradigm that includes single doses of 30 seconds to 5 minutes of continuous stimulation. The treatment paradigm further comprises one or more daily treatment sessions that each include one or more doses for prophylactic or acute treatment of the patient's condition. Vagus nerve stimulation is used to modulate the release of inhibitory neurotransmitters in the brain, such as GABA, norepinephrine, and/or serotonin.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments, one or more methods and/or systems described can transform an inbound call into one or more call streams and/or call states that can include at least one of a contextualized or personalized message, a promotion, a coupon, an offer, a voucher, an advertisement, and an opt-in program, among others. For example, the one or more methods and/or systems described can perform: receiving identification information associated with a telephony device; determining, based on the identification information, a message for the user; and sending the message to the telephony device. For instance, the message can include a coupon or discount for a good or service. In one example, the coupon or discount can be sent via a short message service text message. In another example, the coupon or discount can include a computer-readable image that can be sent via a multimedia messaging service message.

Abstract: Systems and devices for selectively applying electrical energy to a target region beneath a skin surface of a patient involve applying an electrical impulse to one or more electrodes on a skin surface of the patient to modulate one or more nerves at the target region, where the impulse is substantially blocked at nerves located between the target region and the skin surface such that only the nerves at the target region are modulated by the electrical impulse.

Abstract: Devices and systems are disclosed for the non-invasive treatment of medical conditions through delivery of energy to target tissue, comprising a source of electrical power, a magnetically permeable toroidal core, and a coil that is wound around the core. The coil and core are embedded in a continuous electrically conducting medium, which is adapted to have a shape that conforms to the contour of an arbitrarily oriented target body surface of a patient. The conducting medium is applied to that surface by any of several disclosed methods, and the source of power supplies a pulse of electric charge to the coil, such that the coil induces an electric current and/or an electric field within the patient, thereby stimulating tissue and/or one or more nerve fibers within the patient. The invention shapes an elongated electric field of effect that can be oriented parallel to a long nerve. In one embodiment, the device comprises two toroidal cores that lie adjacent to one another.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and software for improving communications between real estate professionals and clients or potential clients are provided. The systems and methods are designed to provide improved lead routing and tracking mechanisms, as well as means to provide analysis. The system and method includes a virtual agent communication platform that associates a virtual telephone number to a real estate lead, and manages communication between a real estate agent and the real estate lead. The system and method can further be designed to adjust lead routing decisions and optionally enable tracking of analytics about lead follow up and lead management.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems, apparatus and methods for treating nerve disorders in the brain. An electrode is introduced into a patient's sinus cavity and an electrical impulse is applied to the electrode to modulate one or more target nerves in the brain to treat the disorder. In preferred embodiments, the electrode is positioned within a sinus cavity adjacent to or near the frontal cortex of the brain and the electrical signal is sufficient to modulate, stimulate and/or inhibit nerves within the frontal cortex. The electrode may be movable between a collapsed or compact configuration for introduction into the sinus cavity and an expanded configuration for contacting tissue within the sinus cavity to deliver the electrical impulse through the tissue to the target nerves in the brain.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems, apparatus and methods for treating nerve disorders in the brain. An electrode is introduced into a patient's sinus cavity and an electrical impulse is applied to the electrode to modulate one or more target nerves in the brain to treat the disorder. In preferred embodiments, the electrode is positioned within a sinus cavity adjacent to or near the frontal cortex of the brain and the electrical signal is sufficient to modulate, stimulate and/or inhibit nerves within the frontal cortex. The electrode may be movable between a collapsed or compact configuration for introduction into the sinus cavity and an expanded configuration for contacting tissue within the sinus cavity to deliver the electrical impulse through the tissue to the target nerves in the brain.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for treating bronchial constriction related to asthma, anaphylaxis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), exercise-induced bronchospasm and post-operative bronchospasm. The treatment comprises transmitting impulses of energy non-invasively to selected nerve fibers that activate neural pathways to reduce the release of acetycholine from airway-related vagal preganglionic neurons within the brain of the patient. The transmitted energy impulses, comprising magnetic and/or electrical energy, stimulate the selected nerve fibers to produce the bronchodilation.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed that treat a medical condition, such as migraine headache, by electrically stimulating a nerve noninvasively, which may be a vagus nerve situated within a patient's neck. Preferred embodiments allow a patient to self-treat his or her condition. Disclosed methods assure that the device is being positioned correctly on the neck and that the amplitude and other parameters of the stimulation actually stimulate the vagus nerve with a therapeutic waveform. Those methods comprise measuring properties of the patient's larynx, pupil diameters, blood flow within an eye, electrodermal activity and/or heart rate variability.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A modular accessory system is supportable on a vertical surface such as a wall, an office divider, or the like and includes a support member or base that supports decorative panels and/or functional panels to provide a desired appearance and/or functions for use in an area. The panels are repositionable, and some may be oriented in two or more different orientations on the support base. Engaging members are provided at spaced intervals along each panel, with additional engaging members provided at spaced intervals along the support base. The engaging members along the support base releasably engage the engaging members on the panels to support them on the support base.