| abstract |
A non-invasive electrical stimulation device creates an elongated electric field effect that can be oriented parallel to a long nerve, such as a vagus nerve in a patient's neck, and produces a desired physiological response in the patient. The stimulator 300 includes a power source 320, at least one electrode 340, and a continuous conductive medium 350 in which the electrode (s) are in contact. The stimulation device produces a peak pulse voltage that is sufficient to produce a physiologically effective electric field in the vicinity of the target nerve, but other nerves and muscles between the target nerve and the patient's skin. Is configured to be substantially non-irritating. Current passes through the electrode, preferably in bursts of 5 sinusoidal pulses, each pulse in the burst preferably having a duration of 200 microseconds, and the burst is preferably 15-50 per second. Repeat in bursts. [Selection] Figure 1 |