METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR REDUCING BLEEDING VIA COORDINATED TRIGEMINAL AND VAGAL NERVE STIMULATION
Disclosed are apparatuses and methods for reducing or limiting blood loss and reducing bleed time in a subject by combined vagus and trigeminal stimulation. The apparatuses and methods may activate (e.g., electrically) one or more branches of the trigeminal nerve and may concurrently (at overlapping or near-overlapping time) independently activate the vagus nerve. This activation may be invasive or non-invasive.
1 . (canceled)
2 . A method for treating or preventing bleeding in a subject, the method comprising:
positioning a first electrical or mechanical neuromodulation stimulator in piercing or non-piercing contact with a facial region of skin of the subject in a first location targeting a trigeminal nerve, wherein the first electrical or mechanical neuromodulation stimulator is operably connected to a trigeminal stimulation drive of a controller;
positioning a second electrical or mechanical neuromodulation stimulator in piercing or non-piercing contact with an auricular region and/or head region of skin of the subject in a second location targeting a vagus nerve, wherein the second electrical or mechanical neuromodulation stimulator is operably connected to a vagal stimulation drive of the controller; and
activating the controller to deliver a neurostimulation treatment configured for treating and/or preventing bleeding, wherein delivering the neurostimulation treatment comprises applying
i) via the trigeminal stimulation drive, first neurostimulation activations at a first frequency or range of frequencies, and
ii) via the vagal stimulation drive, second neurostimulation activations at a second frequency or range of frequencies,
wherein the first neurostimulation activations and the second neurostimulation activations are configured to modulate activities of a sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and a parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) of the subject, thereby shortening a reaction time to form a clot.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein targeting the trigeminal nerve comprises targeting at least one of an ophthalmic nerve branch, a maxillary nerve branch, or a mandibular nerve branch.
4 . The method of claim 2 , wherein:
the first neurostimulation activations are delivered via the first electrical neuromodulation stimulator; and
the first frequency or range of frequencies is within a range from 31 Hz to 150 Hz.
5 . The method of claim 2 , wherein:
the second neurostimulation activations are delivered via the second electrical neuromodulation stimulator; and
the second frequency or range of frequencies is within a range from 1 Hz to 30 Hz.
6 . The method of claim 2 , wherein:
the first neurostimulation activations are delivered via the first mechanical neuromodulation stimulator; and
the first frequency or range of frequencies is within a range from 75 Hz to 500 Hz.
7 . The method of claim 2 , wherein:
the second neurostimulation activations are delivered via the second mechanical neuromodulation stimulator; and
the second frequency or range of frequencies is within a range from 20 Hz to 500 Hz.
8 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the neurostimulation treatment is a prophylactic treatment.
9 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the first neurostimulation activations and the second neurostimulation activations are configured to increase thrombin generation at an injury site while maintaining a systemic thrombin level in the subject.
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the injury site is an internal injury site.
11 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the first neurostimulation activations and the second neurostimulation activations are configured to reduce bleed time by at least 10%.
12 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the controller is activated to deliver the neurostimulation treatment via a user interface of the controller.
13 . The method of claim 2 , further comprising adjusting a dose of the neurostimulation treatment responsive to receiving input via a user interface of the controller.
14 . A system for treating or preventing bleeding in a subject, the system comprising:
a controller;
a trigeminal stimulation drive;
a vagal stimulation drive;
a first electrical or mechanical neuromodulation stimulator configured to be positioned in piercing or non-piercing contact with a facial region of skin of the subject in a first location targeting a trigeminal nerve, wherein the first electrical or mechanical neuromodulation stimulator is operably connected to the trigeminal stimulation drive; and
a second electrical or mechanical neuromodulation stimulator configured to be positioned in piercing or non-piercing contact with an auricular region and/or head region of skin of the subject in a second location targeting a vagus nerve, wherein the second electrical or mechanical neuromodulation stimulator is operably connected to the vagal stimulation drive;
wherein the controller comprises control circuitry configured to deliver a neurostimulation treatment for treating and/or preventing bleeding, wherein delivering the neurostimulation treatment comprises applying
i) via the trigeminal stimulation drive, first neurostimulation activations at a first frequency or range of frequencies, and
ii) via the vagal stimulation drive, second neurostimulation activations at a second frequency or range of frequencies,
wherein the first neurostimulation activations and the second neurostimulation activations are configured to modulate activities of a sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and a parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) of the subject, thereby shortening a reaction time to form a clot.
15 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the controller further comprises a waveform generator.
16 . The system of claim 14 , further comprising a housing, wherein:
the first electrical or mechanical neuromodulation stimulator and the second electrical or mechanical neuromodulation stimulator are arranged on an exterior of the housing; and
the trigeminal stimulation drive and the vagal stimulation drive are enclosed within the housing.
17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the housing is configured to be positioned on facial skin of the subject.
18 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the housing is configured to be positioned on and/or proximate to an ear of the subject.
19 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the first electrical or mechanical neuromodulation stimulator and the second electrical or mechanical neuromodulation stimulator are wirelessly connected to the controller.
20 . The system of claim 14 , wherein delivering the neurostimulation treatment comprises alternating applying the first neurostimulation activations with applying the second neurostimulation activations.
21 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the neurostimulation treatment is configured to treat menstruation.
22 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the first mechanical neuromodulation stimulator and the second mechanical neuromodulation stimulator are configured to deliver vibrational stimulation.