Patent ID: 8812112
Filing Date: 2014-08-19
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
1. A method of treating bronchial constriction in a patient comprising: advancing an introducer through a percutaneous penetration in a neck of a patient to a target site at or near a vagus nerve of a patient; introducing one or more electrodes through the introducer to the target site; positioning the one or more electrodes adjacent the vagus nerve exterior to a carotid sheath; generating an electrical impulse from a location exterior to the patient; and transmitting the electrical impulse through the neck of the patient to the one or more electrodes such that the electrical impulse is applied to the vagus nerve, wherein the electrical impulse has a frequency of 15 to 50 Hz and is sufficient to stimulate afferent parasympathetic nerve fibers responsible for smooth muscle dilation to increase activity of said nerve fibers.