Vagal nerve stimulation therapy
Devices, systems and methods are provided for treating post-operative symptoms following major surgery and/or for treating patients in critical or intensive care. A method includes positioning a contact surface of a device in contact with an outer skin surface of patient and applying an electrical impulse transcutaneously from the device through the outer skin surface of the patient to a vagus nerve in the patient for about 60 seconds to about 5 minutes. The electrical impulse is sufficient to modify the vagus nerve such that the symptoms are reduced. A stimulation protocol is provided that includes two or more doses administered per day for a period of time sufficient to relieve the symptoms. The doses may be administered before and after the patient's surgery, or while the patient is being treating in intensive care.
1. A method for treating post-operative symptoms in a patient, the method comprising:
attaching a patch to the outer skin surface of a neck of the patient, wherein the patch comprises one or more electrodes;
generating an electrical impulse with a device;
wirelessly transmitting the electrical impulse from the device to the one or more electrodes;
the electrical impulse transcutaneously from the one or more electrodes through the outer skin surface of the patient to a vagus nerve in the patient according to a stimulation protocol that includes at least two doses administered each day for a plurality of days, wherein the doses each have a duration of about sixty seconds to about 5 minutes; and
wherein the electrical impulse is sufficient to modify the vagus nerve such that symptoms of intraperitoneal or retroperitoneal inflammation are reduced.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the electrical impulse comprises pulses having a frequency of about 1 kHz to about 20 kHz.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the electrical impulse comprises bursts of pulses, with each burst having a frequency of about 1 to about 100 bursts per second and each pulse has a duration of about 50 to about 1000 microseconds in duration.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the bursts each comprise about 2 to 20 pulses and the bursts are separated by an inter-burst period that comprises zero pulses.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the doses is administered to the patient prior to a surgery.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein at least of the doses is administered to the patient after the surgery.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the doses are separated by a time frame of about 1 hour to about 12 hours.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the stimulation protocol comprises 2 to 12 treatments/day.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the electrical impulse is sufficient to inhibit a release of a pro-inflammatory cytokine.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the electrical impulse is sufficient to reduce post-operative pain.