Abstract: Energy is transmitted noninvasively to a patient using electrode-based stimulation devices or magnetic stimulation devices that are designed to non-invasively stimulate nerves selectively. The devices produce impulses that are used to treat atrial fibrillation, by stimulating a vagus nerve of a patient. The devices are also used to forecast the imminent onset of atrial fibrillation and then avert it by stimulating a vagus nerve.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed that allow a patient to self-treat a medical condition, such as migraine headache, by electrical noninvasive stimulation of a vagus nerve. The system comprises a handheld stimulator that is applied to the surface of the patient's neck, wherein the stimulator comprises or is joined to a smartphone. A camera of the smartphone may be used to position and reposition the stimulator to a particular location on the patient's neck. The system may also comprise a base station that is used to meter the charging of a rechargeable battery within the stimulator. The base station and stimulator transmit data to one another regarding the status of a stimulation session.

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: A system includes: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the memory stores a first content; a medical device coupled to the processor; and a reader coupled to the processor, wherein the reader is configured to read a second content from a storage medium other than the memory such that the processor switches the medical device from a first mode to a second mode based on the first content corresponding to the second content.

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: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed that allow a patient to self-treat neurodegenerative diseases, such as dementia, Alzheimer's disease, ischemic stroke, post-concussion syndrome, chronic traumatic encephalopathy and the like by electrical noninvasive stimulation of a vagus nerve. The system comprises a handheld stimulator that is applied to the surface of the patient's neck, wherein the stimulator comprises or is joined to a smartphone. A camera of the smartphone may be used to position and reposition the stimulator to a particular location on the patient's neck. The system may also comprise a base station that is used to meter the charging of a rechargeable battery within the stimulator. The base station and stimulator transmit data to one another regarding the status of a stimulation session.

Abstract: A method of inserting an intervertebral disc implant into a disc space includes accessing a spinal segment having a first vertebral body, a second vertebral body and a disc space between the first and second vertebral bodies. The method includes securing a first pin to the first vertebral body and a second pin to the second vertebral body, using the first and second pins for distracting the disc space, and providing an inserter holding the intervertebral disc implant. The method also desirably includes engaging the inserter with the first and second pins, and advancing the inserter toward the disc space for inserting the intervertebral disc implant into the disc space, whereby the first and second pins align and guide the inserter toward the disc space.

Abstract: In a device, system and method for electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve to treat or prevent disorders in a patient, the device comprises a handheld device having one or more electrode interfaces for contacting the outer skin surface of a patient, and a power source and a signal generator coupled to the electrode/interfaces for applying one or more electrical impulses to a deep nerve within the patient, such as the vagus nerve. In certain embodiments, the device further comprises a filter situated in series between the signal generator and the electrode/interfaces for filtering out undesired high frequency components of the electrical impulses to create a cleaner, smoother signal. The filter may comprise an electrically conductive medium and/or a low-pass filter between the signal generator and the electrode/interface.

Abstract: Transcutaneous electrical and magnetic nerve stimulation devices are disclosed, along with methods of averting imminent medical attacks using energy that is delivered noninvasively by the devices. In particular, the devices and methods involve handheld devices designed to stimulate the vagus nerve of a patient with a signal sufficient to minimize or avert epileptic seizures.

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: The present disclosure includes methods and devices for a non-invasive treatment of a neurodegenerative disease through a delivery of energy to a target nervous tissue, such as a vagus nerve of a patient. Such energy can be applied to the patient to generate an electrical impulse. The electrical impulse can be modulated to increase an activity of an anti-inflammatory cytokine in the patient to inhibit inflammation and treat the neurodegenerative disease. Such stimulation can bring about a reduction of neuro-inflammation in some patients suffering from one or more conditions, such as Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, postoperative cognitive dysfunction, or postoperative delirium.

Abstract: A system includes: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the memory stores a first content; a medical device coupled to the processor; and a reader coupled to the processor, wherein the reader is configured to read a second content from a storage medium such that the processor switches the medical device from a first mode to a second mode based on the first content corresponding to the second content.

Abstract: Transcutaneous electrical and magnetic nerve stimulation devices are disclosed, along with methods of averting imminent medical attacks using energy that is delivered noninvasively by the devices. The attacks comprise asthma attack, epileptic seizure, attacks of migraine headache, transient ischemic attack or stroke, onset of atrial fibrillation, myocardial infarction, onset of ventricular fibrillation or tachycardia, panic attack, and attacks of acute depression. The imminence of an attack is forecasted using grey-box or black-box models as used in control theory. A vagus nerve in the neck of a patient can be stimulated noninvasively to avert the attack.

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: Instrumentation for implanting a cervical disc replacement device includes cervical disc replacement trials for determining the appropriate size of replacement device to be implanted, an insertion plate for maintaining the elements of the replacement device in fixed relation to one another for simultaneous manipulation, an insertion handle for attachment to the insertion plate for manipulation of the elements, an insertion pusher for releasing the insertion handle from the insertion plate, a drill guide that cooperates with the insertion plate to guide the drilling of tap holes for bone screws to be placed through bone screw holes in the flanges of the replacement device, clips that are applied to the flanges after placement of the bone screws to resist screw backout, and a clip applicator for applying the clips to the flanges.

Abstract: Transcutaneous electrical and magnetic nerve stimulation devices and methods of treating lower urinary tract disorders deliver energy noninvasively to nerves within a patient. The disorders comprise overactive bladder, urge incontinence, stress incontinence, urge frequency, non-obstructive urinary retention and interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome. For example, a posterior tibial nerve of a patient is stimulated non-invasively. Protocol parameters are selected for a nerve stimulation session for treating each individual patient, where modules of the bladder of the patient are represented as coupled non-linear oscillators.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for treating or preventing dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease. The methods comprise transmitting impulses of energy non-invasively to selected nerve fibers, particularly those in a vagus nerve, that modulate the activity of a patient's locus ceruleus. The transmitted energy impulses, comprising magnetic and/or electrical energy, stimulate the selected nerve fibers to cause the locus ceruleus to release norepinephrine into regions of the brain that contain beta-amyloids. The norepinephrine counteracts neuroinflammation that would damage neurons in those regions and the locus ceruleus, thereby arresting or slowing the progression of the disease in the patient.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed that allow a patient to self-treat a medical condition, such as migraine headache, by electrical noninvasive stimulation of a vagus nerve. The system comprises a handheld stimulator that is applied to the surface of the patient's neck, wherein the stimulator comprises or is joined to a smartphone. A camera of the smartphone may be used to position and reposition the stimulator to a particular location on the patient's neck. The system may also comprise a base station that is used to meter the charging of a rechargeable battery within the stimulator. The base station and stimulator transmit data to one another regarding the status of a stimulation session.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for averting imminent medical attacks comprise transcutaneous electrical and magnetic nerve stimulation devices using energy that is delivered non-invasively to the patient. One or more sensors detect physiological and/or environmental signals within a patient and the values of these signals are used to forecast an acute medical event, which can be treated via non-invasive nerve stimulation. The acute medical events may comprise, among others, bronchoconstriction, epileptic seizures, primary headache, such as migraine or cluster headaches, transient ischemic attack or stroke, onset of atrial fibrillation, myocardial infarction, and acute depression or anxiety.

Abstract: Energy is transmitted noninvasively to a patient using electrode-based stimulation devices or magnetic stimulation devices that are designed to non-invasively stimulate nerves selectively. The devices produce impulses that are used to treat atrial fibrillation, by stimulating a vagus nerve of a patient. The devices are also used to forecast the imminent onset of atrial fibrillation and then avert it by stimulating a vagus nerve.