Non-invasive magnetic or electrical nerve stimulation to treat gastroparesis, functional dyspepsia, and other functional gastrointestinal disorders

Abstract

Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for treating or preventing gastroparesis, functional dyspepsia, and other functional gastrointestinal disorders. The methods comprise transmitting impulses of energy non-invasively to selected nerve fibers, particularly those in a vagus nerve. The methods provide damaged interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) with trophic factors via vagal afferent nerve fibers, thereby reversing ICC damage, and as a consequence improving gastric motility. The methods also increase levels of inhibitory neurotransmitters in the brain so as to decrease neural activity within the area postrema, or they deactivate a resting state neural network containing parts of the anterior insula and anterior cingulate cortex, which will thereby reduce abnormal interoception and visceral hypersensitivity.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application is a Continuation in Part of: (1) U.S. Nonprovisional application Ser. No. 13 / 222,087 filed Aug. 31, 2011; (2) U.S. Nonprovisional application Ser. No. 13 / 183,765 filed Jul. 15, 2011, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 488,208 filed May 20, 2011; and (3) U.S. Nonprovisional application Ser. No. 13 / 075,746 filed Mar. 30, 2011, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 61 / 451,259 filed Mar. 10, 2011; each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The field of the present invention relates to the delivery of energy impulses (and / or fields) to bodily tissues for therapeutic purposes. The invention relates more specifically to devices and methods for treating conditions associated with gastroparesis, functional dyspepsia, and functional gastrointestinal disorders generally. The energy impulses (and / or fields) that are used t...