| abstract |
An auricular stimulation device having surface electrodes biased towards each other, and offset from one another, is provided. The stimulation device can be positioned about the ear of a patient with each of the electrodes overlaying auricular ear tissue containing innervation supplied by an auricular branch of the vagus nerve. The electrodes transcutaneously stimulate the auricular branch. Also provided is a method of treating a patient using the auricular stimulation device. The stimulation device can be used for treating patients with conditions such as high blood pressure, depression, high blood glucose level, and tinnitus. Also provided is a diagnostic and therapeutic system having the auricular stimulation device, a smart device and a monitoring device. The smart device controls the auricular stimulation device based on biomarker information received from the monitoring device; and on information related to the patient, such as age, musculoskeletal stability, etc.; and/or on user input. |