Non-invasive nerve stimulation with mobile software application

Abstract

Devices, systems and methods are provided for treating various symptoms, disorders and medical conditions through noninvasive stimulation of a nerve. A system comprises a stimulator including an electrode configured to contact an outer skin surface of a patient and a user interface for turning the stimulator ON to enable the stimulator to operate. An energy source is coupled to the stimulator to generate an electrical impulse, wherein the stimulator transmits the electrical impulse from the electrode transcutaneously through an outer skin surface of an individual to a selected nerve within the individual. The system further comprises a software application coupled to the stimulator and configured to transmit data to the stimulator. The data may include authorization for the stimulator to transmit the electrical impulse.

1 . A system comprising:
 a stimulator including an electrode configured to contact an outer skin surface of a patient and a user interface for turning the stimulator ON to enable the stimulator to operate;   an energy source coupled to the stimulator, wherein the energy source generates an electrical impulse, wherein the stimulator transmits the electrical impulse from the electrode transcutaneously through an outer skin surface of an individual to a selected nerve within the individual; and   a software application coupled to the stimulator and configured to transmit data to the stimulator, wherein the data includes authorization for the stimulator to transmit the electrical impulse.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the energy source is configured generate the electrical impulse when the stimulator has been turned ON and said authorization has been provided by the software application. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the data includes a parameter of the electrical impulse. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the data includes a therapy regimen. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the therapy regimen comprises a duration of the electrical impulse. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the therapy regimen includes a number of doses of the electrical impulse. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the therapy regimen includes a duration of time between doses. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a signal generator coupled to the stimulator and the energy source. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the software application is downloadable onto a mobile device. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising the mobile device. 
     
     
         11 . A method comprising:
 manipulating a user interface of a stimulator to turn the stimulator ON and enable the stimulator to operate;   communicating authorization to the stimulator in order to enable an electrical impulse to be generated;   positioning an electrode of the stimulator against an outer skin surface of an individual;   generating the electrical impulse; and   transmitting the electrical impulse through the electrode and transcutaneously through the outer skin surface to a selected nerve within the individual.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising downloading a software application to a mobile device and wirelessly transmitting the authorization from the mobile device to the stimulator. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising transmitting a parameter of the electrical impulse from the software application to the stimulator. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the parameter includes an amplitude of the electrical impulse. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising transmitting a therapy regimen from the software application to the stimulator. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the therapy regimen comprises a duration of the electrical impulse. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the therapy regimen includes a number of doses of the electrical impulse. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the therapy regimen includes a duration of time between doses. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the electrical impulse includes bursts of 2 to 20 pulses with a frequency of about 1 burst per second to about 100 bursts per second.