Methods and Devices for Treating Hypertension

Abstract

Devices, systems and methods are described which control blood pressure and nervous system activity by stimulating baroreceptors. By selectively and controllably activating baroreceptors and/or nerves, the present invention reduces blood pressure and alters the sympathetic nervous system; thereby minimizing deleterious effects on the heart, vasculature and other organs and tissues. A baroreceptor activation device or other sensory activation device is positioned near a dermal bone to provide the treatment.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A vibration device, comprising:
 a bandage comprising an adhesive, the bandage being adapted to be adhesively attached to a skin surface over a clavicle of a subject;   a vibration source disposed within and partially extending from a housing and being configured to apply vibratory energy at a plurality of frequencies between 30 Hz and 200 Hz; and   an attachment mechanism associated with at least one of the housing and the bandage, the attachment mechanism being adapted to detachably attach the housing to the bandage.   
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the vibration source comprises a driver. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the driver is a speaker. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the speaker is a haptic speaker. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the driver is a piezo. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the vibration source comprises a driver adapted to sweep between the plurality of vibration frequencies. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a first fitting associated with the bandage and a second fitting associated with the housing, the first fitting being shaped to mate with the second fitting. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a magnet. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the bandage has an aperture sized to receive at least a portion of the vibration source extending from the housing. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the vibration source further includes an electronics module. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the electronics module includes a processor and a computer readable program stored within a memory of the processor. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the vibratory device applies vibration to the clavicle in response to a command from the computer readable program. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the vibratory device applies vibration to the clavicle for a programmed amount of time. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the vibratory device applies vibration for a period of time between 1 minute and 8 hours. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the vibratory device applies vibration for a period of time between 15 minutes and 4 hours. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 8 , further comprising at least one arm associated with the housing, wherein second fitting is associated with the at least one arm. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the device includes two arms. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the attachment mechanism comprises snaps. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the attachment mechanism comprises magnets. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the attachment mechanism comprises at least one magnet and one metallic member.