Patents by Inventor John T. Raffle

John T. Raffle has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20250058106
    Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for the non-invasive treatment of diseases or disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), multiple sclerosis, postoperative cognitive dysfunction, or postoperative delirium. A device comprises a stimulator having an electrode configured for contacting an outer skin surface of a neck of the patient and an energy source configured to transmit, via the electrode, an electric current transcutaneously and non-invasively through the outer skin surface of the neck of the patient to generate an electrical impulse at or near a vagus nerve within the patient. The electrical impulse comprises bursts of 2 to 20 pulses with each of the bursts comprising a frequency from about 15 Hz to about 50 Hz and with each of the pulses comprising a duration from about 20 microseconds to about 1000 microseconds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2024
    Publication date: February 20, 2025
    Applicant: ElectroCore, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce J. Simon, Joseph P. Errico, John T. Raffle
  • Patent number: 12208263
    Abstract: Devices and methods are described to produce therapeutic effects in a patient by utilizing an energy source that transmits energy non-invasively to nervous tissue. A device for modulating a nerve within a body of a patient comprises a housing comprising a power supply and a signal generator for generating an electrical impulse. The electrical impulse comprises bursts of 2 to 20 pulses, wherein each of the bursts has a frequency of 15 to 50 Hz. The device further comprises first and second electrodes coupled to the housing and having a contact surface configured for contacting an outer skin surface of a neck of a user. The energy source is configured to transmit the electrical impulse from the first and second electrodes through the outer skin surface of the user to a vagus nerve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2024
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: ELECTROCORE, INC.
    Inventors: Bruce J. Simon, Joseph P. Errico, John T. Raffle
  • Patent number: 12179012
    Abstract: Devices and methods for the non-invasive stimulation of nerves, such as the vagus nerve, include a housing and an electrode coupled to the housing. The electrode is configured to be positioned adjacent to, or in contact with, an outer skin surface of a patient. A source of energy is coupled to the housing and operably coupled to the electrode. The source of energy emits an electrical impulse to the electrode such that the electrical impulse passes through the outer skin surface of the patient to a nerve at a target region in the patient sufficient to modulate the nerve. The electrical impulse comprises burst periods and constant periods, wherein each burst period includes 2 to 20 pulses and has a duration of less than 20,000 microseconds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: ElectroCore, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce J. Simon, Joseph P. Errico, John T. Raffle
  • Patent number: 12172015
    Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for the non-invasive treatment of diseases or disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), multiple sclerosis, postoperative cognitive dysfunction, or postoperative delirium. A method for comprises positioning an electrode in contact with an outer skin surface of a neck of the patient and transmitting, via the electrode, an electric current transcutaneously and non-invasively through the outer skin surface of the neck of the patient to generate an electrical impulse at or near a vagus nerve within the patient. The electrical impulse comprises bursts of 2 to 20 pulses with each of the bursts comprising a frequency from about 15 Hz to about 50 Hz and with each of the pulses comprising a duration from about 20 microseconds to about 1000 microseconds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2024
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: ElectroCore, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce J. Simon, Joseph P. Errico, John T. Raffle
  • Patent number: 12168121
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for treating or preventing a developmental disorder, such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), an autism spectrum disorder, Asperger syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, overactive disorder, pervasive developmental disorder. A device comprises an electrode having a contact surface for contacting an outer skin surface of a patient and a power source coupled the electrode. The power source generates and transmits an electrical impulse having a frequency of about 1 kHz to about 20 kHz through the contact surface and the outer skin surface to a nerve within the patient. The electrical impulse is sufficient to modify the behavioral disorder in the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: ELECTROCORE, INC.
    Inventors: Bruce J. Simon, Joseph P. Errico, John T. Raffle
  • Publication number: 20240374889
    Abstract: Vagal nerve stimulation devices and methods are provided herein. A device comprises one or more electrodes having a contact surface for contacting an outer skin surface of a patient and an energy source coupled to the electrodes. The energy source generates one or more electrical impulses and transmits the electrical impulses to the electrodes and transcutaneously through the outer skin surface of the patient at or near a vagus nerve. The one or more electrical pulses comprise bursts of 2 to 20 pulses within each burst with each burst having a frequency of about 5 Hz to about 100 Hz.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2024
    Publication date: November 14, 2024
    Applicant: ElectroCore, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce J. Simon, Joseph P. Errico, John T. Raffle
  • Publication number: 20240316342
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are provided for treating various symptoms, disorders and medical conditions through noninvasive stimulation of a nerve. A system comprises a stimulator having an interface configured to contact an outer skin surface of a user and an energy source coupled to the interface. The energy source transmits an electrical signal comprising a plurality of electrical impulses through the interface transcutaneously through the outer skin surface of the user to a nerve of the user such that the nerve is modulated. The system further comprises a downloadable software application downloadable onto a mobile device configured for wireless coupling to the stimulator to transmit data from the software application to the stimulator. The downloadable software application controls a duration of time in which the stimulator generates the electrical signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2024
    Publication date: September 26, 2024
    Applicant: ElectroCore, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce J. Simon, Joseph P. Errico, John T. Raffle
  • Patent number: 12070593
    Abstract: Vagal nerve stimulation devices and methods are provided for treating medical conditions, such as conditions associated with insufficient dopamine and/or endogenous opioids in the brain. A device includes one or more electrodes having a contact surface for contacting an outer skin surface of a patient and an energy source coupled to the electrodes. The energy source generates one or more electrical impulses and transmits the electrical impulses to the electrodes and transcutaneously through the outer skin surface of the patient at or near a vagus nerve. The one or more electrical impulses is sufficient to modulate the vagus nerve and release dopamine and/or endogenous opioids in a brain of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: ELECTROCORE, INC
    Inventors: Bruce J. Simon, Joseph P. Errico, John T. Raffle
  • Publication number: 20240278012
    Abstract: Devices and methods are described to produce therapeutic effects in a patient by utilizing an energy source that transmits energy non-invasively to nervous tissue. A device for modulating a nerve within a body of a patient comprises a housing comprising a power supply and a signal generator for generating an electrical impulse. The electrical impulse comprises bursts of 2 to 20 pulses, wherein each of the bursts has a frequency of 15 to 50 Hz. The device further comprises first and second electrodes coupled to the housing and having a contact surface configured for contacting an outer skin surface of a neck of a user. The energy source is configured to transmit the electrical impulse from the first and second electrodes through the outer skin surface of the user to a vagus nerve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2024
    Publication date: August 22, 2024
    Applicant: ElectroCore, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce J. Simon, Joseph P. Errico, John T. Raffle
  • Publication number: 20240139508
    Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for the non-invasive treatment of diseases or disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), multiple sclerosis, postoperative cognitive dysfunction, or postoperative delirium. A method for comprises positioning an electrode in contact with an outer skin surface of a neck of the patient and transmitting, via the electrode, an electric current transcutaneously and non-invasively through the outer skin surface of the neck of the patient to generate an electrical impulse at or near a vagus nerve within the patient. The electrical impulse comprises bursts of 2 to 20 pulses with each of the bursts comprising a frequency from about 15 Hz to about 50 Hz and with each of the pulses comprising a duration from about 20 microseconds to about 1000 microseconds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2024
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Applicant: ElectroCore, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce J. Simon, Joseph P. Errico, John T. Raffle
  • Patent number: 11944815
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed that allow a patient to self-treat a medical condition, such as headache, by noninvasive stimulation of a nerve. A system comprises a stimulator having an interface configured to contact an outer skin surface of a patient and an energy source coupled to the interface. The energy source transmits an electrical impulse through the interface transcutaneously through the outer skin surface of the patient to a nerve of the patient such that the nerve is modulated. The system further comprises a mobile device coupled to the stimulator to transmit data to the stimulator. The data includes a therapy regimen to reduce one or more symptoms of a headache in the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: ELECTROCORE, INC.
    Inventors: Bruce J. Simon, Joseph P. Errico, John T. Raffle
  • Publication number: 20230405319
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are provided for treating various symptoms, disorders and medical conditions through noninvasive stimulation of a nerve. A system comprises a stimulator including an electrode configured to contact an outer skin surface of a patient and a user interface for turning the stimulator ON to enable the stimulator to operate. An energy source is coupled to the stimulator to generate an electrical impulse, wherein the stimulator transmits the electrical impulse from the electrode transcutaneously through an outer skin surface of an individual to a selected nerve within the individual. The system further comprises a software application coupled to the stimulator and configured to transmit data to the stimulator. The data may include authorization for the stimulator to transmit the electrical impulse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Applicant: ElectroCore, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce J. Simon, Joseph P. Errico, John T. Raffle
  • Patent number: 11701515
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for treating various disorders and medical conditions through noninvasive stimulation of a nerve. A system comprises a stimulator including an electrode configured to contact an outer skin surface of a patient and an energy source coupled to the housing, The energy source generates an electrical impulse and the stimulator transmits the electrical impulse from the electrode transcutaneously through an outer skin surface of the patient to a selected nerve within the patient. The system further includes an application on a mobile device that receives data from a remote source. The mobile device couples to the stimulator and the application causes the mobile device to transmit the data to the stimulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: ELECTROCORE, INC
    Inventors: Bruce J. Simon, Joseph P. Errico, John T. Raffle
  • Publication number: 20230201569
    Abstract: Vagal nerve stimulation devices and methods are provided for treating medical conditions, such as conditions associated with insufficient dopamine and/or endogenous opioids in the brain. A device includes one or more electrodes having a contact surface for contacting an outer skin surface of a patient and an energy source coupled to the electrodes. The energy source generates one or more electrical impulses and transmits the electrical impulses to the electrodes and transcutaneously through the outer skin surface of the patient at or near a vagus nerve. The one or more electrical impulses is sufficient to modulate the vagus nerve and release dopamine and/or endogenous opioids in a brain of the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Applicant: ELECTROCORE, INC
    Inventors: Bruce J. Simon, Joseph P. Errico, John T. Raffle
  • Patent number: 11654277
    Abstract: Systems and methods for treating diseases and disorders in a patient are provided. A device comprises a stimulator comprising an electrode and an energy source. The energy source is configured to generate an electrical impulse and transmit the electrical impulse to the electrode through an outer skin surface to a vagus nerve of the patient. The device further comprises a sensor for detecting a physiological parameter of a patient's heart and a controller coupled to the stimulator and the sensor and configured to activate the stimulator based on the physiological parameter to cause the stimulator to generate the electrical impulse. In some aspects, the electrical impulse is sufficient to modulate the vagus nerve to treat a cardiac arrhythmia of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: ElectroCore, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce J. Simon, Joseph P. Errico, John T. Raffle
  • Publication number: 20230128537
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for treating or preventing a developmental disorder, such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), an autism spectrum disorder, Asperger syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, overactive disorder, pervasive developmental disorder. A device comprises an electrode having a contact surface for contacting an outer skin surface of a patient and a power source coupled the electrode. The power source generates and transmits an electrical impulse having a frequency of about 1 kHz to about 20 kHz through the contact surface and the outer skin surface to a nerve within the patient. The electrical impulse is sufficient to modify the behavioral disorder in the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2022
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Applicant: ElectroCore, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce J. Simon, Joseph P. Errico, John T. Raffle
  • Publication number: 20230113505
    Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for the non-invasive treatment of autoimmune diseases or disorders through the delivery of energy to target nervous tissue, particularly the vagus nerve.. A device for treating an autoimmune disease or disorder comprises one or more electrodes having a contact surface configured for contacting an anterior portion of an outer skin surface of a neck of a patient and an energy source coupled to the electrodes. The energy source is configured to generate one or more electrical impulses and to transmit the electrical impulses to the electrodes and transcutaneously through the anterior portion of the outer skin surface of the neck of the patient at or near a vagus nerve. The electrical impulses are sufficient to modulate the vagus nerve and to inhibit inflammation and treat the disorder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2022
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Applicant: ElectroCore, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce J. Simon, Joseph P. Errico, John T. Raffle
  • Patent number: 11623079
    Abstract: Vagal nerve stimulation devices and methods are provided for treating medical conditions, such as conditions associated with insufficient dopamine and/or endogenous opioids in the brain. A device includes one or more electrodes having a contact surface for contacting an outer skin surface of a patient and an energy source coupled to the electrodes. The energy source generates one or more electrical impulses and transmits the electrical impulses to the electrodes and transcutaneously through the outer skin surface of the patient at or near a vagus nerve. The one or more electrical impulses is sufficient to modulate the vagus nerve and release dopamine and/or endogenous opioids in a brain of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: ELECTROCORE, INC
    Inventors: Bruce J. Simon, Joseph P. Errico, John T. Raffle
  • Patent number: 11623078
    Abstract: Devices and methods for non-invasive stimulation of nerves, such as the vagus nerve, include a housing and an electrode spaced from the housing. The electrode is configured to be positioned adjacent to, or in contact with, an outer skin surface of a patient. A source of energy is positioned within the housing and operably coupled to the electrode, either wirelessly or via a lead or other wired connection. The source of energy emits an electrical impulse to the electrode such that the electrical impulse passes through the outer skin surface of the patient to a nerve at a target region in the patient sufficient to modulate the nerve. The electrical impulse comprises bursts each with a frequency from about 1 Hz to about 100 Hz, wherein each of the bursts comprises 2 pulses to 20 pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: ELECTROCORE, INC
    Inventors: Bruce J. Simon, Joseph P. Errico, John T. Raffle
  • Patent number: 11623080
    Abstract: Vagal nerve stimulation devices and methods are provided for treating medical conditions, such as conditions associated with insufficient dopamine and/or endogenous opioids in the brain. A device includes one or more electrodes having a contact surface for contacting an outer skin surface of a patient and an energy source coupled to the electrodes. The energy source generates one or more electrical impulses and transmits the electrical impulses to the electrodes and transcutaneously through the outer skin surface of the patient at or near a vagus nerve. The one or more electrical impulses is sufficient to modulate the vagus nerve and release dopamine and/or endogenous opioids in a brain of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: ELECTROCORE, INC
    Inventors: Bruce J. Simon, Joseph P. Errico, John T. Raffle