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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for treating a variety of diseases and disorders. A device for treating a disorder in a patient comprises a housing having a contact surface for contacting an outer skin surface of the patient and an energy source within the housing. The energy source is configured to transmit electrical impulses through the outer skin surface of the patient to a selected nerve within the patient. The electrical impulses include bursts of pulses having a burst frequency between 1 Hz and 5000 Hz and a burst duration between 100 microseconds and 20,000 microseconds.

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: 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 gastroparesis, functional dyspepsia, and other functional gastrointestinal disorders. The methods comprise transmitting impulses of energy non-invasively to selected nerve fibers, particularly those in a vagus nerve. The methods provide damaged interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) with trophic factors via vagal afferent nerve fibers, thereby reversing ICC damage, and as a consequence improving gastric motility. The methods also increase levels of inhibitory neurotransmitters in the brain so as to decrease neural activity within the area postrema, or they deactivate a resting state neural network containing parts of the anterior insula and anterior cingulate cortex, which will thereby reduce abnormal interoception and visceral hypersensitivity.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for modulating one or more nerves within patients. A method comprises generating a signal comprising an electrical impulse and contacting an interface with an outer skin surface of a patient. The electrical impulse is delivered from one or more electrode(s) through the interface and the outer skin surface of the patient to a vagus nerve, thereby modulating the vagus nerve sufficiently to treat a medical condition. The one or more electrode(s) are spaced from the interface by a distance of about 0.25 to about 4 times an outer dimension of the interface.

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: Devices, systems and methods are provided for treating a disease or disorder in a patient. The methods include positioning a surface of a housing in contact with an outer skin surface of the patient and applying sufficient energy to an energy transmitter within the housing via a power supply to generate an electrical impulse at or near a vagus nerve of the patient. The electrical impulse is sufficient to modulate fibers of the vagus nerve and treat the disease or disorder.