Systems and methods for therapeutically treating neuro-psychiatric disorders and other illnesses

Abstract

Systems and methods for treating neuro-psychiatric disorders, such as depression or schizophrenia, and / or other illnesses are disclosed. A patient is diagnosed with a particular neuro-psychiatric disorder or other illness. An electric nerve stimulation (ENS) technique, such as vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), is administered to the patient in conjunction with a magnetic nerve stimulation (MNS) technique. The magnetic nerve stimulation (MNS) technique includes applying a magnetic field to a pre-selected synaptic region of a brain of the patient based on the diagnosis. A physiological response of the brain, such as electroencephalogram (EEG) activity, is monitored. One or more parameters of the magnetic field may be selectively adapted in response to the monitored physiological response. The administration of the ENS technique and the MNS technique may be performed simultaneously, in serial order, or in alternating order depending on the diagnosis.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS / INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE [0001] This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. ______ filed on Dec. 30, 2003, Express Mail number EV415640672US. [0002] U.S. Pat. No. 5,299,569 issued on Apr. 5, 1994 is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. U.S. Pat. No. 5,540,734 issued on Jul. 30, 1996 is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. U.S. Pat. No. 6,132,361 issued on Oct. 17, 2000 is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. U.S. Pat. No. 6,266,556 issued on Jul. 24, 2001 is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD [0003] The present invention relates to systems and methods for treating or controlling medical, psychiatric, or neurological disorders and conditions. More particularly, certain embodiments of the present invention relate to using an electric nerve stimulation (ENS) technique in conjunction with a magnetic stimulation (MS) technique to treat the di...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides a method and system for treating neuro-psychiatric disorders and other illnesses using a combination of magnetic stimulation and electric nerve stimulation techniques. The method involves diagnosing the patient with a neuro-psychiatric disorder and administering the treatment using the ENS technique, such as VNS, to the brain of the patient in conjunction with the MS technique, such as TMS. The system includes an MNS subsystem to stimulate the brain and / or one or more nerves of the patient and an ENS subsystem to generate electric signals to stimulate a second location within the body of the patient, such as a nerve mapping into the brain. The computer-based switching subsystem selects either the MS or ENS subsystem to stimulate the nerves of the patient. The technical effects of the invention include improved treatment outcomes for neuro-psychiatric disorders and other illnesses and reduced side effects compared to conventional treatments."

Problems solved by technology

The C fibers, however, are unmyelinated.

However, selective unidirectional stimulation is achievable through the use of special nerve electrodes and stimulating waveforms.

In addition, the therapy is either ineffective or only marginally effective for some patients.

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