Device and method for the treatment of substance use disorders
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10695568-B1
Publication Date
2020-06-30
Expiration Date
Abstract
A treatment system and method for inducing endogenous release of peptides is provided including a concha apparatus including a first electrode in contact with vagal related neural structures; an earpiece connected to the concha apparatus by a first connector, the earpiece including a PCB layer including a second electrode configured to be in contact with a neural structure related to the auriculotemporal nerve, and at least another electrode configured to be in contact with or in proximity to neural structures related to the great auricular nerve and/or its branches and/or the lesser occipital nerve and/or its branches, and an adhesive configured to secure the electrodes on the earpiece to the skin; and a pulse generator connected to the earpiece by a second connector, the pulse generator including circuitry in communication with the first electrode of the concha apparatus, the second electrode and the at least another electrode of the earpiece.
Core Innovation
A wearable treatment system provides transcutaneous stimulation for inducing endogenous release of peptides. The system includes a concha apparatus configured for placement external to an ear canal of a patient, including a first electrode configured to be in contact with vagal related neural structures of the ear, and retained, at least in part, through frictional engagement with a concha of the ear, without piercing dermal layers of skin on and surrounding the ear.
The system also includes an earpiece for placement around the ear connected to the concha apparatus by a first connector. The earpiece includes an insulated electronics layer including a second electrode configured to be in contact with neural structures related to the auriculotemporal nerve, and at least another electrode configured to be in contact with neural structures related to at least one of the great auricular nerve (and/or branches) and/or the lesser occipital nerve (and/or branches). A second connector connects the earpiece to a pulse generator.
The pulse generator includes circuitry in electrical communication with the first electrode of the concha apparatus via the first connector, and with the second electrode and the at least another electrode of the earpiece via the second connector. The circuitry is configured to provide a therapy that induces endogenous release of peptides through pulses of electrical stimulation to the ear and/or around the ear via the first electrode, the second electrode, and the at least another electrode, with secure placement designed to avoid piercing the dermal layers of skin.
Claims Coverage
The document includes two independent claims. Each independent claim centers on a wearable, non-piercing ear-associated transcutaneous stimulation architecture that induces endogenous release of peptides via specific electrodes targeting vagal-related and ear-nerve related neural structures, with electrical communication to a pulse generator through connectors.
Wearable concha apparatus and earpiece for non-piercing peptide-inducing transcutaneous stimulation
A wearable treatment system includes a concha apparatus external to an ear canal with a first electrode configured to contact vagal related neural structures and retained through frictional engagement with a concha of the ear; an earpiece around the ear connected by a first connector and including an insulated electronics layer with a second electrode for contact with neural structures related to the auriculotemporal nerve and at least another electrode for contact with neural structures related to the great auricular nerve (and/or branches) and/or the lesser occipital nerve (and/or branches); and a pulse generator connected by a second connector with circuitry providing therapy that induces endogenous release of peptides through pulses of electrical stimulation to the ear and/or around the ear via the electrodes without piercing dermal layers of skin.
Non-piercing wearable treatment device with adhesive-secured ear electrodes and pulse-generator communication
A wearable treatment device includes a concha apparatus external to an ear canal with a first electrode configured to contact vagal related neural structures retained through frictional engagement with a concha of the ear; a connected earpiece around the ear including an insulated electronics layer with a second electrode for contact with neural structures related to the auriculotemporal nerve and at least another electrode for contact with neural structures related to the great auricular nerve (and/or branches) and/or the lesser occipital nerve (and/or branches), and an adhesive configured to secure the second electrode and the at least another electrode to skin surrounding the ear; and a pulse generator connection via circuitry in electrical communication with the electrodes via first and second connectors to provide transcutaneous stimulation for inducing endogenous release of peptides, designed for secure placement without piercing dermal layers of skin.
Across the independent claims, the primary inventive focus is a wearable, non-piercing transcutaneous stimulation system/device using a friction-retained concha apparatus electrode for vagal related neural structures and an earpiece with insulated-electronics electrodes targeting auriculotemporal and great auricular/lesser occipital (and branches) neural structures, electrically communicated to a pulse generator to induce endogenous release of peptides.
Stated Advantages
Designed for secure placement of the electrodes without piercing dermal layers of skin on and surrounding the ear.
Documented Applications
Treatment for opioid/substance withdrawal and relapse maintenance using transcutaneous stimulation to induce endogenous peptide release.
Treatment for pain using transcutaneous stimulation to induce endogenous peptide release.
Adjunct indications described include neonatal abstinence syndrome, neuroplasticity and cognitive disorders, and autonomic imbalance conditions such as anxiety, atrial fibrillation (AF), heart failure, and migraines.
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