Method and system for providing therapy for bulimia/eating disorders by providing electrical pulses to vagus nerve(s)

Abstract

A method and system to provide pre-determined electrical pulses for neuromodulating vagus nerve(s) or its branches to provide therapy for bulimia/eating disorders, comprises implantable and external components. The electrical pulses to vagus nerve(s) may be stimulating and/or blocking. The pulsed electrical stimulation/blocking to vagus nerve(s) may be provided using one of the following stimulation systems, such as: a) an implanted stimulus-receiver with an external stimulator; b) an implanted stimulus-receiver comprising a high value capacitor for storing charge, used in conjunction with an external stimulator; c) a programmer-less implantable pulse generator (IPG) which is operable with a magnet; d) a microstimulator; e) a programmable implantable pulse generator; f) a combination implantable device comprising both a stimulus-receiver and a programmable implantable pulse generator (IPG); and g) an implantable pulse generator (IPG) comprising a rechargeable battery. In one embodiment, the external components such as the programmer or external stimulator may comprise a telemetry circuit for networking. The telemetry circuit therefore allows for interrogation or programming of implanted device, from a remote location over a wide area network.