vagus nerve stimulator
The vagus nerve stimulation device addresses fit and accessibility issues by using conductive polymers and precise electrode positioning, enabling secure contact with the ear canal and concha navicularis for effective non-invasive stimulation.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024547391
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2021-10-18
- Filing Date
- 2021-12-01
- Publication Date
- 2025-08-06
- Estimated Expiration
- 2041-12-01
AI Technical Summary
Existing vagus nerve stimulation devices are difficult to fit and require invasive procedures, limiting their use to medical settings, while non-invasive methods like acupuncture are not accessible to the general public.
A vagus nerve stimulation device with electrodes positioned to easily contact the ear canal and concha navicularis, utilizing conductive polymers and specific angular relationships between electrodes to ensure secure fit and electrical contact.
The device provides effective, non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation by ensuring both electrodes securely adhere to the ear canal and concha, improving therapeutic efficacy and user comfort.
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Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a device for stimulating the vagus nerve, and more particularly to a vagus nerve stimulation device developed to make it easier to fit electrodes located in the ear to the desired position for applying electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve. [Background technology]
[0002] The vagus nerve is one of the cranial nerves and is the 10th cranial nerve. It emerges from the brain and is distributed throughout the face, chest, and abdomen. It is a mixed nerve containing parasympathetic nerve fibers and is involved in regulating the parasympathetic nervous system, which acts on the heart, lungs, digestive tract, etc. It is the longest of the 12 pairs of cranial nerves and has a complex structure, containing both sensory and motor nerve fibers.
[0003] Vagus nerve stimulators for the treatment of epilepsy and depression have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and these stimulate the cervical branches located in the neck. However, this type of electrical stimulation therapy for the cervical branches of the vagus nerve requires making an incision directly in the skin to expose the cervical branches of the vagus nerve, wrapping an electrical coil around the exterior of the nerve, and then implanting a microchip, so it cannot be used by the general public for self-treatment.
[0004] Meanwhile, the human ear is the main pathway through which the vagus nerve passes, and since the vagus nerve is located close to the skin, it is considered to be a body part where external electrical stimulation can be applied to the vagus nerve. In traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is used to treat illnesses, and since the ear is where the auricular branch of the vagus nerve is distributed, stimulation of the vagus nerve is thought to be used for treatment. However, there is a problem in that the use of acupuncture is not applicable to the general public.
[0005] Therefore, a technology has been developed to apply electrical stimulation by contacting electrodes to the ear, but this has drawbacks such as being difficult to wear or being manufactured in a shape that does not provide a good fit. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide a vagus nerve stimulation device in which electrodes are positioned so as to easily stimulate the vagus nerve located in the ear. [Means for solving the problem]
[0007] To achieve the above object, the vagus nerve stimulation device of the present invention is a device that is worn on at least one of the left and right ears and includes two or more electrodes that generate electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve in the outer ear, and includes a body portion located on one side of the ear, a first electrode that is inserted into and contacts the wearer's ear canal, a second electrode that contacts the wearer's concha (cymba concha), a first electrode fixing portion that protrudes from the body portion and has the first electrode located at its end, and a second electrode fixing portion that protrudes from the body portion and has the second electrode located at its end, and is characterized in that when the protruding direction of the first electrode fixing portion is aligned with the x-axis of a three-dimensional coordinate system, the angle between the protruding direction of the second electrode fixing portion and the protruding direction of the first electrode fixing portion is in the range of 10 to 20 degrees on the x-z plane and in the range of 35 to 45 degrees on the x-y plane.
[0008] In this case, it is more preferable that the angle between the protruding direction of the second electrode fixing portion and the protruding direction of the first electrode fixing portion is 14.8±2° on the xz plane and 39.7±2° on the xy plane.
[0009] It is preferable that the distance from the position where the first electrode fixing portion protrudes in the body portion to the position where the second electrode fixing portion protrudes in the z-axis direction is 14.5±2 mm.
[0010] It is preferable that the length by which the first electrode fixing portion protrudes from the body portion is 6 mm or more.
[0011] It is preferable that the length by which the second electrode fixing portion protrudes from the body portion is 5 mm or more.
[0012] The first electrode is preferably made of a flexible conductive polymer.
[0013] The second electrode is preferably made of a flexible conductive polymer.
[0014] It is preferable that the body portion includes a forming surface from which the first electrode fixing portion and the second electrode fixing portion protrude, and the second electrode fixing portion is disposed at an angle of 80 to 90 degrees with respect to a reference plane of the forming surface.
[0015] The earphone may also include a pair of body parts corresponding to each of the two ears, and the pair of body parts may have the second electrode fixing part and the first electrode fixing part protruding from them in a mirror-symmetrical manner based on the wearer's head.
[0016] It is preferable that the headgear further includes a connecting portion that connects the pair of body portions, and the connecting portion applies a force in a direction in which the body portions come into close contact with the wearer's head.
[0017] It is preferable that the body portion includes a forming surface from which the first electrode fixing portion and the second electrode fixing portion protrude, and the second electrode fixing portion is disposed at an angle of 80 to 90 degrees with respect to a reference plane of the forming surface. [Effects of the Invention]
[0018] The present invention, configured as described above, has the excellent effect of providing a vagus nerve stimulation device with improved characteristics that contacts the human concha navicularis by specifying the position of the second electrode in a form that makes it easy to contact the concha navicularis based on the electrode inserted into the external auditory canal of the ear.
[0019] In addition, by adjusting the angle between the body portion on which the electrode is formed and the electrode, and configuring the electrode so that it comes into contact with the concha when the body portion is brought into close contact with the ear, the configuration for fixing the body portion to the ear has the effect of bringing the electrode into close contact with the concha. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an ear illustrating the positions where electrodes should come into contact in a vagus nerve stimulation device. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a vagus nerve stimulation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a partially enlarged view illustrating the configuration of a vagus nerve stimulation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 3A and 3B are schematic diagrams illustrating the angular relationship between electrodes in a vagus nerve stimulation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 3A and 3B are schematic diagrams illustrating the angular relationship between electrodes in a vagus nerve stimulation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating the angular relationship between a second electrode and a body portion in a vagus nerve stimulation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating the angular relationship between a second electrode and a body portion in a vagus nerve stimulation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0022] However, the embodiments of the present invention can be modified into various different forms, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to only the embodiments described below. The shapes and sizes of elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity, and elements represented by the same reference numerals in the drawings are the same elements.
[0023] Throughout the specification, when a part is said to be "coupled" to another part, this includes not only when the part is "directly coupled" to another part, but also when the part is "electrically connected" to another part via another element therebetween. Furthermore, when a part is said to "include" or "comprise" a certain component, this does not exclude other components, but means that the part may further include or be provided with other components, unless otherwise specified.
[0024] Furthermore, terms such as "first" and "second" are used to distinguish one component from another, and should not be used to limit the scope of rights. For example, a first component can be called a second component, and similarly, a second component can be called a first component.
[0025] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the ear, illustrating the positions where electrodes should come into contact in a vagus nerve stimulation device.
[0026] In developing neuromodulation technology for activating brain functions, the inventor of the present invention has developed a neuromodulation technology that uses the vagus nerve, unlike transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy or transcranial electrical stimulation therapy. In particular, the inventor has developed a technology that activates the limbic system and cerebral cortex via multiple central nervous nuclei by non-invasively stimulating the external vagus nerve to stimulate afferent sensory nerves.
[0027] Transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy and transcranial electrical stimulation therapy have the characteristic of stimulating the cerebral cortex from the outside, but the vagus nerve stimulation of the present invention is a technology that can effectively stimulate the brainstem and deep cerebral areas by stimulating the deep parts of the brain via the vagus nerve, the tenth cranial nerve.
[0028] In the human ear, the vagus nerve passes through the external auditory canal and the cymba concha. The helicis crus, a cartilage structure that connects to the auricle (ear shell), is located to the side and separates the cavum concha, which is the part that forms the concha cavity at the entrance to the external auditory canal, from the cymba concha.
[0029] In the case of the ear canal, earphones and other devices have been developed that insert earphones into the ear canal, making it easy to create an electrode that contacts the ear canal. However, due to the positional and morphological characteristics of the concha, which is located in the concave area above the helical crus, it is not easy to create an electrode that contacts the concha.
[0030] In particular, when an electrode that contacts the ear canal and an electrode that contacts the concha are simultaneously provided, the electrode that should contact the concha cannot be in close contact with the skin, resulting in inaccurate electrical stimulation. To solve this problem, the inventors of the present invention have researched and filed a patent application for a vagus nerve stimulation device that allows the position and height of the electrode that contacts the concha to be adjusted so that the electrode that contacts the ear canal and the electrode that contacts the concha can be in close contact with the ear at the same time. However, the process of adjusting the electrode position makes the device structure complicated, increases manufacturing costs, and causes frequent malfunctions during use.
[0031] In order to solve such problems, the present invention aims to provide a vagus nerve stimulation device that allows the first electrode and the second electrode to be in close contact with the ear at the same time by specifying the positional relationship between the first electrode that contacts the ear canal and the second electrode that contacts the concha navicularis.
[0032] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of a vagus nerve stimulation device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0033] The vagus nerve stimulation device of this embodiment includes a body portion 100, a first electrode 200, a second electrode 300, and a connecting portion 400.
[0034] The body part 100 corresponds to a main body for forming the first electrode 200 and the second electrode 300, which are positioned next to the wearer's ear and transmit electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve. In this case, only one body part 100 may be provided to be worn on one ear, or two body parts 100 may be provided to be worn on both ears. In this embodiment, two body parts 100 are provided, and the first electrode 200 and the second electrode 300 are formed on each of the body parts 100.
[0035] The first electrode 200 is an electrode that is inserted into the ear canal through the cavity of the concha of the wearer and comes into contact with the ear canal. In order to be inserted into and come into contact with the ear canal located inside the ear, the first electrode 200 is formed to protrude from the body part 100.
[0036] In this case, if the first electrode 200 that contacts the ear canal is made of a conductive polymer that has flexibility and elastic restoring force, it can conduct electricity while appropriately deforming to fit the size of the ear canal, which varies from person to person, improving its adhesion to the ear canal. In addition, after being removed from the ear canal, the electrode can return to its original shape and size, preventing problems due to deformation during repeated use. The structure and form of the first electrode 200 using a conductive polymer can be similar to that of earphones, which use a polymer to achieve sealing and internal adhesion. In addition, the first electrode 200 using a conductive polymer can be made in a detachable form so that only the electrode can be replaced. It can also be made in various sizes so that it can be replaced by the user, and if the electrode is damaged, only the electrode can be replaced.
[0037] Meanwhile, sound or sound waves can be transmitted through the first electrode 200 inserted into the ear canal, allowing for music or sounds for relaxation during treatment, or sound waves for treatment. To this end, the body 100 is provided with an acoustic unit for generating sound, and a space connecting the body 100 to the first electrode 200 and the first electrode 200 form a path through which sound can travel. The acoustic stimulation generated by the acoustic unit can regulate the activity of the cerebral cortex, and this effect can affect neural synapses related to degenerative brain diseases based on neural plasticity, promoting changes. The non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation of the present invention can stimulate the cerebral cortex via the nucleus tractus solitarius, locus coeruleus, and nucleus basalis, thereby improving cerebral neural plasticity and promoting the formation of new synapses, thereby improving learning ability. The changes in cerebral synapses caused by sound stimulation can induce synergy with the improvement in cerebral plasticity caused by the non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation of the present invention, thereby improving the therapeutic effect.
[0038] The second electrode 300 is an electrode that contacts the wearer's cymba concha. The vagus nerve stimulation device of the present invention is characterized in that it includes electrodes that contact the external auditory canal and the cymba concha to transmit electrical stimulation, and the second electrode 300 contacts the cymba concha to transmit electrical stimulation. In this case, since the cymba concha of a human being is concavely positioned above the crus helicalis, the second electrode 300 is formed to protrude from the body part 100.
[0039] In this case, if the second electrode 300 that contacts the concha scapha is made of a conductive polymer that has flexibility and elastic recovery, it can conduct electricity while being able to appropriately deform to fit the structure and size of the concha scapha, which varies from person to person, improving its adhesion to the concha scapha. Furthermore, since the effects obtained when the first electrode 200 is made of a conductive polymer are almost the same, a detailed description will be omitted.
[0040] Meanwhile, the first electrode 200 for insertion into the ear canal and the second electrode 300 for contacting the concha, a recessed portion above the crus helicalis, both protrude from the body part 100. In this case, if the protruding structure and direction of the first electrode 200 and the second electrode 300 are not appropriate, there is a problem that they may be prevented from adhering to each other. For this reason, the present invention specifies the protruding structure and direction of the first electrode 200 and the second electrode 300, which will be described in more detail in a different section.
[0041] The connecting part 400 is a component that connects the two body parts 100. It is preferable that the connecting part 400 is configured not only to connect the two body parts 100 but also to apply a force to the body parts 100 so that they fit closely to the human ear through elastic force.
[0042] The force that this connecting part 400 exerts to bring the body part 100 into close contact with the ear not only ensures that the vagus nerve stimulation device of this embodiment itself is fixed to the wearer, but also applies force to bring the first electrode 200 and the second electrode 300 formed on the body part 100 into close contact with the wearer's skin, making it easier for electrical stimulation to be transmitted through the electrodes to the vagus nerve in the ear.
[0043] FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view illustrating the configuration of a vagus nerve stimulation device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0044] 3 is an enlarged view of the body part 100 worn on the left ear. As described above, the first electrode 200 must be inserted into the ear canal, and the second electrode 300 must contact the concha. Therefore, both the first electrode 200 and the second electrode 300 must protrude from the forming surface 110 of the body part 100, which faces the wearer's head. In the present invention, a first electrode made of a conductive polymer material is attached to the end of the first electrode fixing part 210 protruding from the body part 100, and the second electrode 300 made of a conductive polymer material is attached to the end of the second electrode fixing part 310 protruding from the body part 100. In this case, the protruding directions of the first electrode fixing part 210 and the second electrode fixing part 310 vary depending on the relative positions of the ear canal and the concha. If these protruding directions are not precisely defined, the first electrode 200 and the second electrode 300 may not fit closely to the ear canal and the concha, respectively.
[0045] Since it is widely known that the human ear canal is positioned at an oblique angle toward the front, it is preferable that the first electrode 200 that is inserted into and contacts the ear canal has a protruding direction toward the front. In this case, the protruding direction and angle of the first electrode fixing part 210 for insertion into the ear canal can be determined based on research conducted in the technical field of earphones, etc.
[0046] In contrast, the second electrode 300, which is to contact the concha scapha, does not have a commonly used configuration and must be positioned diagonally upward from the first electrode 200, resulting in a problem that an incorrect design could result in inability to fit tightly to the concha scapha. Meanwhile, in conventional earphone-related technology, a structure spanning the concha scapha has been applied to secure the earphone to the ear, but this technology cannot be applied to the second electrode 300 and second electrode fixing part 310, which are required to transmit electrical stimulation.
[0047] In order to solve this problem, the inventors of the present invention have developed a vagus nerve stimulation device in which the protrusion direction of the second electrode fixing part 310 is optimized based on the protrusion direction of the first electrode fixing part 210, to which existing technology can be applied.
[0048] 4 and 5 are schematic diagrams illustrating the angular relationship between electrodes in a vagus nerve stimulation device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0049] 4, the protruding direction of the first electrode fixing part 210 was aligned with the x-axis in a three-dimensional coordinate system, and the starting point of the second electrode fixing part 310 was positioned on the z-axis. Then, the angle between vector A relative to the protruding direction of the first electrode fixing part 210 and vector B relative to the protruding direction of the second electrode fixing part 310 was determined for the xy plane and the xz plane.
[0050] First, the angle (a) between vector A, which is the direction of protrusion of the first electrode fixing part 210 relative to the xz plane, and vector B, which is the direction of protrusion of the second electrode fixing part 310, is in the range of 10 to 20°. This angle is slightly upward when the protrusion direction of the first electrode fixing part 210 is placed horizontally, and within this angle range, the second electrode 300 can be in close contact with the navicularis concha, which is located above the crus helix, without being obstructed by the crus helix. More preferably, the angle (a) between vector A, which is the direction of protrusion of the first electrode fixing part 210 relative to the xz plane, and vector B, which is the direction of protrusion of the second electrode fixing part 310, is 14.8±2°.
[0051] The angle (b) between vector A, which is the projection direction of the first electrode fixing part 210 relative to the xy plane, and vector B, which is the projection direction of the second electrode fixing part 310, is in the range of 35 to 45°. As described above, since the human ear canal is positioned at an angle toward the front of the face, the projection direction of the second electrode fixing part 310 must be positioned so that it is more toward the back of the face than the projection direction of the first electrode fixing part 210. Within this angle range, the direction in which the first electrode 200 is inserted into the ear canal and the direction in which the second electrode 300 is brought into contact with the navicularis concha do not interfere with each other. More preferably, the angle (b) between vector A, which is the projection direction of the first electrode fixing part 210 relative to the xy plane, and vector B, which is the projection direction of the second electrode fixing part 310, are 39.7±2°.
[0052] In this way, by designing the electrodes by specifying the angle between vector A relative to the protruding direction of the first electrode fixing part 210 and vector B relative to the protruding direction of the second electrode fixing part 310, the first electrode 200 is inserted into the ear canal and fits snugly, and the second electrode fits snugly against the concha. If the angles are outside this range, problems may arise in that one of the first or second electrodes does not fit snugly against the ear or is difficult to wear.
[0053] As mentioned above, the first electrode fixing part 210 and the second electrode fixing part 310 must protrude from the body part 100 due to the structural characteristics of the ear canal and the concha. The length by which the first electrode fixing part 210 protrudes from the body part 100 must be 6 mm or more, and the length by which the second electrode fixing part 310 protrudes from the body part 100 must be 5 mm or more. If the protruding length is shorter than this, it becomes difficult to adhere the electrodes to the ear canal and the concha. Meanwhile, because the first electrode 200 made of a conductive polymer material is attached to the end of the first electrode fixing part 210, the distance from the body part 100 to the end of the first electrode 200 is greater than the protruding length of the first electrode fixing part 210. Therefore, the size of the first electrode 200 made of a conductive polymer material must be taken into consideration during the final design process. Similarly, the distance from the body part 100 to the end of the second electrode 300 made of a conductive polymer material, which is attached to the end of the second electrode fixing part 310, is greater than the protruding length of the second electrode fixing part 310, and the size of the second electrode 300 made of a conductive polymer material must be taken into consideration in the final design process. If the size is outside the above range, problems may occur in which one of the first electrode or the second electrode does not fit tightly against the ear or is difficult to wear.
[0054] Furthermore, the position where the first electrode fixing part 210 protrudes from the body part 100 and the position where the second electrode fixing part 310 protrudes are preferably spaced apart, and the distance between the protruding positions of the first electrode fixing part 210 and the second electrode fixing part 310 is preferably 14.5±2 mm. This is measured as the shortest distance between the first electrode fixing part 210 and the second electrode fixing part 310, and can be appropriately adjusted depending on the width of the first electrode fixing part 210 and the second electrode fixing part 310.
[0055] 6 and 7 are diagrams illustrating the angular relationship between the second electrode and the body portion in a vagus nerve stimulation device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0056] FIG. 6 shows a configuration in which the electrodes made of conductive polymer material have been removed from the first electrode fixing part 210 and the second electrode fixing part 310, and the parts that come into contact with the electrodes are configured as conductive parts 212 and 312 that expose the conductive material, allowing electricity to pass through to the electrodes provided at the ends.
[0057] As described above, the vagus nerve stimulation device of the present invention is configured such that the first electrode 200 and the second electrode 300 protrude from the forming surface 110 of the body part 100, and both sides of the body part 100 are fitted closely to the wearer's face (ears) by the elastic force of the connecting part 400. In this case, the forming surface 110 of the body part 100 applies a force in the direction of fitting closely to the wearer's ears, and if the protruding direction of the first electrode fixing part 210 and the second electrode fixing part 310 is appropriately configured, the force due to the elastic force of the connecting part 400 can be transmitted in the direction in which the first electrode 200 and the second electrode 300 fit closely to the external auditory canal and the concha navicularis.
[0058] At this time, since the forming surface 110 of the body part 100 is not a perfect plane, a reference plane 110a is defined during the design process as a plane for setting the angle between the forming surface 110 and the first and second electrode fixing parts 210 and 310. The reference plane 110a corresponds to the forming surface 110 of the body part 100. In general, when designing a device, it is preferable that a force be applied in a direction in which the reference plane 110a is aligned with the side of the wearer's face and fits closely to the face (ear) due to the elastic force of the connecting part 400. Therefore, the closer the angle between the vector B relative to the protruding direction of the second electrode fixing part 310 and the reference plane 110a is to a perpendicular, the more force can be applied in the protruding direction of the second electrode fixing part 310. Using this as a basis, if the angle between vector B relative to the protruding direction of the second electrode fixing part 310 and the reference plane 110a is designed to be in the range of 80 to 90°, the elastic force of the connecting part 400 will apply a force in the direction in which the second electrode 300 adheres to the concha navicularis, resulting in the excellent effect of allowing the second electrode 300 to adhere to the concha navicularis.
[0059] While the present invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments, the above embodiments are merely illustrative of the technical concept of the present invention, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible without departing from the technical concept of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be interpreted not by specific embodiments but by the matters set forth in the claims, and all technical concepts within the scope equivalent thereto should also be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]
[0060] 100: Body 110: Formation surface 110a: Reference plane 200: 1st electrode 210:First electrode fixing part 212: Conduction part 300: 2nd electrode 310:Second electrode fixing part 312: Conduction part 400: Connection part
Claims
1. A device including two or more electrodes worn on at least one of the left and right ears to generate electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve in the outer ear, a body portion located on one side of the ear; a first electrode inserted into and in contact with the wearer's ear canal; a second electrode in contact with the wearer's concha; a first electrode fixing portion protruding from the body portion and having a first electrode positioned at an end thereof; a second electrode fixing portion protruding from the body portion and having a second electrode positioned at an end thereof; A vagus nerve stimulation device characterized in that, when the protruding direction of the first electrode fixing part is aligned with the x-axis of a three-dimensional coordinate system and the starting point of the second electrode fixing part is positioned on the z-axis of the three-dimensional coordinate system, the angle between the protruding direction of the second electrode fixing part and the protruding direction of the first electrode fixing part is in the range of 10 to 20 degrees on the xz plane and in the range of 35 to 45 degrees on the xy plane.
2. 2. The vagus nerve stimulation device of claim 1, wherein the angle between the protrusion direction of the second electrode fixing portion and the protrusion direction of the first electrode fixing portion is 14.8±2° on the xz plane and 39.7±2° on the xy plane.
3. 2. The vagus nerve stimulation device according to claim 1, wherein the distance from the position where the first electrode fixing portion protrudes to the position where the second electrode fixing portion protrudes on the body portion is 14.5±2 mm.
4. 2. The vagus nerve stimulation device according to claim 1, wherein the length of the first electrode fixing portion protruding from the body portion is 6 mm or more.
5. 2. The vagus nerve stimulation device according to claim 1, wherein the length of the second electrode fixing portion protruding from the body portion is 5 mm or more.
6. The vagus nerve stimulation device according to claim 1 , wherein the first electrode is made of a flexible conductive polymer.
7. The vagus nerve stimulation device according to claim 1 , wherein the second electrode is made of a flexible conductive polymer.
8. the body portion includes a surface from which the first electrode fixing portion and the second electrode fixing portion protrude, 2. The vagus nerve stimulation device according to claim 1, wherein the second electrode fixing portion is disposed at an angle of 80 to 90 degrees with respect to a reference plane of the forming surface.
9. 2. The vagus nerve stimulation device of claim 1, comprising a pair of body parts corresponding to each of the two ears, wherein the second electrode fixing part and the first electrode fixing part are protrudingly formed in a mirror-symmetrical form with respect to the wearer's head.
10. Further including a connecting portion that connects the pair of body portions, The vagus nerve stimulation device according to claim 9 , wherein the connecting portion applies a force in a direction in which the body portion comes into close contact with the wearer's head.
11. the body portion includes a surface from which the first electrode fixing portion and the second electrode fixing portion protrude, The vagus nerve stimulation device according to claim 10, wherein the second electrode fixing portion is disposed at an angle of 80 to 90 degrees with respect to a reference plane of the forming surface.
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