초록 ▼

The present invention uses electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve to treat epilepsy with minimized or no effect on the heart. Treatment is carried out by an implantable signal generator, one or more implantable electrodes for electrically stimulating a predetermined stimulation site of the vagus

The present invention uses electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve to treat epilepsy with minimized or no effect on the heart. Treatment is carried out by an implantable signal generator, one or more implantable electrodes for electrically stimulating a predetermined stimulation site of the vagus nerve, and a sensor for sensing characteristics of the heart such as heart rate. The heart rate information from the sensor can be used to determine whether the vagus nerve stimulation is adversely affecting the heart. Once threshold parameters are met, the vagus nerve stimulation may be stopped or adjusted. In an alternative embodiment, the invention may include a modified pacemaker to maintain the heart in desired conditions during the vagus nerve stimulation. In yet another embodiment, the invention may be simply a modified pacemaker having circuitry that determines whether a vagus nerve is being stimulated. In the event that the vagus nerve is being stimulated, the modified pacemaker may control the heart to maintain it within desired conditions during the vagus nerve stimulation.

대표청구항 ▼

The present invention uses electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve to treat epilepsy with minimized or no effect on the heart. Treatment is carried out by an implantable signal generator, one or more implantable electrodes for electrically stimulating a predetermined stimulation site of the vagus

The present invention uses electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve to treat epilepsy with minimized or no effect on the heart. Treatment is carried out by an implantable signal generator, one or more implantable electrodes for electrically stimulating a predetermined stimulation site of the vagus nerve, and a sensor for sensing characteristics of the heart such as heart rate. The heart rate information from the sensor can be used to determine whether the vagus nerve stimulation is adversely affecting the heart. Once threshold parameters are met, the vagus nerve stimulation may be stopped or adjusted. In an alternative embodiment, the invention may include a modified pacemaker to maintain the heart in desired conditions during the vagus nerve stimulation. In yet another embodiment, the invention may be simply a modified pacemaker having circuitry that determines whether a vagus nerve is being stimulated. In the event that the vagus nerve is being stimulated, the modified pacemaker may control the heart to maintain it within desired conditions during the vagus nerve stimulation. ecured to the body member; (b) a release liner configured for removal from the adhesive member, wherein the release liner includes a first portion disposed around a first aperture in the plurality of apertures and a second portion disposed around a second aperture in the plurality of apertures, wherein the first portion and the second portion are separately removable from the body member such that the adhesive disposed in a perimeter around the first and the second apertures are separately exposed, and wherein the first and second portions each include a release tab extending beyond the body member to facilitate removal of the first and the second portions from the body member; (c) an LED assembly adapted to be coupled to the wrap member; and (d) a photodiode adapted to be coupled to the wrap member. 10. The oximetry sensor of claim 9, wherein the adhesive member secured to the wrap member is adhesively secured thereto. 11. The oximetry sensor of claim 9, further comprising an applique removably adhesively coupled to the release liner. 12. The oximetry sensor of claim 9, wherein the adhesive member secured to the wrap member is an annular shaped member or is elongated in shape. 13. The oximetry sensor of claim 9, wherein the adhesive member is a double-sided adhesively coated member. 14. The oximetry sensor of claim 9, wherein the body member comprises a fabric substrate, a foam substrate, or a combination thereof. 15. The oximetry sensor of claim 9, wherein the body member comprises a compliant substrate covered by a cloth member. 16. The oximetry sensor of claim 9, further comprising a cable operably coupled with the LED assembly and the photodiode. 17. The oximetry sensor of claim 9, wherein the fastener is a hook and loop fastener. 18. The oximetry sensor of claim 16, wherein the cable includes a connector on one end thereof. 19. The oximetry sensor of claim 9, wherein the LED assembly and the photodiode each include a housing, and each housing includes an integral upper flange and an integral lower flange. 20. The oximetry sensor of claim 19, wherein each housing includes a cover, the cover being transparent to infrared light. 21. The oximetry sensor of claim 9, wherein the wrap member is disposable and is supplied as a roll of disposable wrap members. 22. A disposable wrap member comprising: a body portion having a plurality of apertures therein; an adhesive member secured to the wrap member; and a release liner overlying the adhesive member, wherein the release liner is configured for removal from the adhesive member, wherein the release liner includes a first portion disposed around a first aperture in the plurality of apertures and a second portion disposed around a second aperture in the plurality of apertures, wherein the first portion and the second portion are separately removable from the body member such that the adhesive disposed in a perimeter around the first and the second apertures are separately exposed, and wherein the first and second portions each include a release tab extending beyond the body member to facilitate removal of the first and the second portions from the body member. 23. The wrap member of claim 22, further comprising an applique removably coupled to the adhesive member or to the release liner. 24. The wrap member of claim 22, wherein the adhesive member is adhesively secured to the body member. 25. The wrap member of claim 22, wherein the adhesive member is an annular shaped member or an elongated shaped member. 26. The wrap member of claim 22, wherein the adhesive member is a double-sided adhesively coated member. 27. The wrap member of claim 22, wherein the body member comprises a foam substrate. 28. The wrap member of claim 22, wherein the body member comprises a compliant substrate covered by a cloth member. 29. The wrap member of claim 22, further comprising at least one other wrap member connected to the wrap member having perforations located therebetween. 30. The wrap member of claim 22, wherein the wrap member is provided as a roll of wrap members, each wrap member connected to an adjacent wrap member and having perforations located therebetween. 31. The wrap member of claim 22, wherein the body member comprises a foam portion and a fabric portion. 32. The wrap member of claim 22, further comprising a fastener coupled to the body member, wherein the fastener is a hook and loop fastener. 33. The wrap member of claim 22, wherein the body member has a butterfly shape or an elongated strip shape. 34. A method applying an oximetry sensor to a patient, comprising: 1) providing an LED assembly having a housing, the LED housing including two flanges thereon; 2) providing a photodiode having a housing, the photodiode housing including two flanges thereon; 3) providing a wrap member comprising: a) a body member having a plurality of apertures defined therein, b) an adhesive member secured to the body member, and c) a removable liner overlying the adhesive member, wherein the removable liner includes a first portion disposed around a first aperture in the plurality of apertures and a second portion disposed around a second aperture in the plurality of apertures wherein the first portion and the second portion are separately removable from the body member such that the adhesive disposed in a perimeter around the first and the second apertures are separately exposed, and wherein the first and second portions each include a release tab extending beyond the body member to facilitate removal of the first and the second portions from the body member; 4) inserting the photodiode and the LED assembly in the plurality of apertures; 5) removing the first release liner portions by grasping the release tab associated with the first portion and pulling; and 6) removing the second release liner portions by grasping the release tab associated with second first portion and pulling after removing the first release liner portion. 35. The method of claim 34, further comprising operably coupling a portion of a cable with the photodiode, and operably coupling a portion of a cable with the LED assembly. 36. The method of claim 35, further comprising applying the oximetry sensor to a surface of a patient such that the adhesive member secures the wrap member to such a patient. 37. A wrap member dispensing system comprising: a plurality of wrap members, each having a plurality of apertures therein, each wrap member including a fastener for securing the wrap member to a patient, and means for selectively detaching adjacent wrap member to one another, wherein the means for selectively detaching adjacent wrap members from one another includes perforations defined in a portion of the wrap member. 38. The system of claim 37, wherein the fastener comprises at least one of an adhesive and a hook and loop fastener. 39. The system of claim 37, wherein the plurality of wrap members are provided as a roll of wrap members. 40. The system of claim 37, further comprising a spool around which the roll of wrap members is wound. device, such as a mechanical ventilator or an air oxygen mixer as to the appropriate FiO2to be delivered to the patient. The system initializes various parameters with default values, but a user (e.g., a nurse) can also update the settings at any time. The system also provides alerts for various conditions, for example, standard pulse oximeter alarms, as well as notification when an episode of hyperoxemia or hypoxemia occurs, when it lasts for more than a specified period of time (e.g., two minutes) in spite of FiO2adjustments and when the adjustments set the FiO2at certain levels. The user is also alerted when SpO2signal is lost.