Methods and apparatuses for reducing bleeding via electrical trigeminal nerve stimulation
Disclosed are apparatuses and methods for reducing or limiting bleeding (e.g., blood loss and/or bleeding time) in an animal by trigeminal stimulation. The apparatuses and methods may activate one or more branches of the trigeminal nerve. This activation may be invasive or non-invasive.
1. A method of treating a hemophiliac subject, the method comprising:
determining when the subject is bleeding; and
applying one or more of mechanical or electrical stimulation to the subject's trigeminal nerve to reduce bleeding wherein applying said one or more of mechanical or electrical stimulation comprises avoiding triggering a diver's reflex, and thereby reducing bleeding.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising reducing bleeding by at least 10%.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising reducing bleeding by greater at least 20%.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein applying one or more of mechanical or electrical stimulation comprises stimulating the trigeminal nerve at between 0.1 Hz and 100 Hz for greater than 10 minutes.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein applying said one or more of mechanical or electrical stimulation comprises applying electrical stimulation noninvasively to the subject's trigeminal nerve.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein applying said one or more of mechanical or electrical stimulation comprises applying electrical stimulation between 1-50 Hz and between 0.5-15V having a pulse width of between 0.5 ms and 10 ms.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein applying said one or more of mechanical or electrical stimulation comprises applying non-invasive mechanical stimulation.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein applying said one or more of mechanical or electrical stimulation comprises stimulating one of an ophthalmic, maxillary or mandibular branch of the subject's trigeminal nerve.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein applying said one or more of mechanical or electrical stimulation comprises stimulating two or more of an ophthalmic, maxillary or mandibular branch of the subject's trigeminal nerve.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein applying said one or more of mechanical or electrical stimulation comprises stimulating sensory fibers of the subject's trigeminal nerve.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein applying said one or more of mechanical or electrical stimulation comprises applying unilateral stimulation to the subject's trigeminal nerve.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein applying said one or more of mechanical or electrical stimulation comprises applying bilateral stimulation to the subject's trigeminal nerve.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein reducing said bleeding comprises reducing said bleeding by at least 30%.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein applying said one or more of mechanical or electrical stimulation consists of stimulating the trigeminal nerve.