Spark Biomedical, Inc.

Navid Khodaparast

Alejandro Covalin

Melanie Mcwade

Daniel Powell

Christopher J Czura

Jared Wettenstein

In an illustrative embodiment, systems and methods for treating stress and/or for improving alertness in a subject using neurostimulation therapy include placing first electrode(s) on, over, or adjacent to an auricular branch of the vagus nerve, placing second electrode(s) on, over or adjacent to an auriculotemporal nerve, and delivering therapeutic stimulation pulses via the first electrode(s) and the second electrode(s) by delivering a first series of stimulation pulses to the first electrode(s), the first series configured to increase activity in neural medullary structure(s), and delivering a second series of stimulation pulses to the second electrode(s), the second series configured to increase activity in neural structures within the Trigeminocervical Complex.

Devices and methods for treating stress and improving alertness using electrical stimulation

In an illustrative embodiment, methods and systems include delivering neurostimulation therapy, including delivering a first pulse series including a) delivering a suprathreshold cathodic pulse to a first electrode to stimulate a first neural structure, thereby producing a corresponding anodic pulse on a second electrode, and b) delivering a charge-balancing subthreshold anodic pulse with reversed polarity of the suprathreshold cathodic pulse to the first electrode, thereby producing a corresponding cathodic pulse on the second electrode, and delivering a second pulse series including c) delivering a suprathreshold cathodic pulse to the second electrode to stimulate a second neural structure, thereby producing a corresponding anodic pulse on the first electrode, and d) delivering a charge-balancing subthreshold anodic pulse with reversed polarity of the suprathreshold cathodic pulse to the second electrode, thereby producing a corresponding cathodic pulse on the first electrode.

Delivery of non-penetrating electrical neurostimulation therapy

In an illustrative embodiment, methods and system for increasing coagulation potential and/or triggering a higher platelet activation rate in a subject via auricular neurostimulation include contacting skin of the subject with one or more therapeutic electrodes, each electrode positioned in a respective region of nerve structures of the auriculotemporal nerve (ATN), nerve structures connected to the ATN, nerve structures of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve (ABVN), or nerve structures connected to the ABVN, applying, to the electrodes, one or more stimulation patterns.

Electrical stimulation methods and devices for improving blood management

In an illustrative embodiment, a wearable auricular stimulator includes a flexible body adapted to be worn at least partially around an auricle of a wearer, including an exterior for positioning in contact with a wearer's skin, and an interior for supporting a three-dimensional (3D) circuitry layout, including traces deposited on surfaces of the interior of the flexible body, electrodes for delivering electrical stimulation therapy to the wearer via a skin-facing side of the flexible body, and electronic component(s) electrically connected with the electrodes and the traces, the electronic components including a processing circuitry element for delivering electrical stimulation treatment(s) via the electrodes.

Wearable auricular neurostimulator and methods of use

In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus for controlling or reducing stress levels includes an ear-mounted device having an earpiece for positioning over a wearer's ear contacting tissue regions surrounding the ear, and electrodes for delivering non-piercing neurostimulation, with first electrode(s) arranged on a first surface of the earpiece to contact a first tissue region, and second electrode(s) are arranged on a second surface to contact a second tissue region. The auricular branch of the vagus nerve or the auriculotemporal nerve is situated beneath the first tissue region. The apparatus includes a controller to deliver therapeutic stimulation pulses via the stimulation device, where the pulses in combination with the positioning of the first electrode(s) and the second electrode(s) are configured to modulate the activity ratio between the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system, thereby increasing vagal tone.

Controlling or reducing stress using auricular neurostimulation

In an illustrative embodiment, systems and methods for inhibiting, reducing or eliminating motion sickness using a neuromodulation device configured to be worn on a subject's head and a controller configured to deliver therapeutic stimulation pulses for providing motion sickness therapy involve delivering, by the controller, a first series of stimulation pulses to first electrode(s) positioned on or near the subject's ear in a first tissue region to modulate peripheral activity, and delivering, by the controller, a second series of stimulation pulses to second electrode(s) positioned on or near the subject's ear in a second tissue region t to modulate one or more areas in the subject's brain stem.

Devices and methods for treating motion sickness using electrical stimulation

In an illustrative embodiment, systems and methods for providing antiemetic therapy through neuromodulation include positioning a first electrode against or at least partially into a first tissue region on or surrounding a subject's ear such that the first electrode is on, over, or adjacent to one or more first neural structures, positioning a second electrode against or at least partially into a second tissue region on or surrounding the ear such that the second electrode is on, over, or adjacent to one or more second neural structures, delivering a first series of stimulation pulses to the first electrode for modulating peripheral activity via modulating central neural autonomic structures, and delivering a second series of stimulation pulses to the second electrode for increasing availability of central norepinephrine.

In an illustrative embodiment, methods and systems for attenuating effect(s) associated with reduction or cessation of substance use by an individual include providing a neurostimulation delivery system including a neurostimulation device having a first portion including a first electrode configured to electrically stimulate auricular branch(es) of the vagus nerve, and a second portion including a second electrode configured to electrically stimulate branch(es) of the auriculotemporal nerve, and a pulse generator including circuitry configured to deliver therapeutic stimulation pulses to the first and second electrodes. Methods and systems include positioning the neurostimulation device for administration of the neurostimulation treatment, whereby the first electrode is disposed on, over or adjacent to auricular branch(es) of the vagus nerve, and the second electrode is disposed on, over or adjacent to branch(es) of the auriculotemporal nerve, and administering the neurostimulation treatment.

Devices and methods for the treatment of substance use disorders

Systems and methods for treating cognitive dysfunction and/or depression using transcutaneous auricular neurostimulation therapy may include positioning a wearable neurostimulation device about the ear of the patient, connecting the wearable neurostimulation device, to a pulse generator, and delivering a first series of stimulation pulses to at least one first electrode, the first series being configured to increase monoamine neurotransmitter availability, and delivering a second series of stimulation pulses to at least one second electrode, the second series being configured to upregulate opioid receptor agonists.

Devices and methods for treating cognitive dysfunction and depression using electrical stimulation

Systems and methods for reducing pulmonary inflammation and/or increasing bronchial compliance in a patient utilize transcutaneous stimulation of neural structures in a region of an ear of a patient delivered by an auricular stimulation device having an in-ear component with a first electrode disposed in a patient's ear and an earpiece component with a second electrode placed around the auricle. A pulse generator may control delivery of therapy by delivering both a first series of stimulation pulses to the first electrode for stimulating a first neural structure(s) and a second series of stimulation pulses to the second electrode for stimulating second neural structure(s). The first and second electrodes are in non-piercing contact with tissue on and/or surrounding the ear. The systems and methods may be used to treat viral or bacteria infections, such as SARS, MERS, or COVID-19.

Growing community of inventors

Dallas, TX, United States of America

Navid Khodaparast