Non Invasive Vagus Nerve Stimulator
The vagus nerve, simply referred to as the vagus, is a central cerebral nerve. It originates from the medulla oblongata, the transition from the spinal column to the brain. It is the largest nerve of the parasympathetic nervous system and is involved in the regulation of activity of almost all internal organs. It is the second-largest nerve in the body after the spinal nerve system. The activity of the vagus controls the heartbeat as well as protein production, among other things.
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS)
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) uses fine electrical currents to activate the vagus nerve. Because the vagus has hardly any painconducting fibres, this can be tolerated well. Two different types are possible: stimulator implantation, or stimulation via extracorporeal electrodes (transcutaneous stimulation). This stimulates both type A and type B fibres. The following are reached: the solitary nucleus (SN), the amygdala, the dorsal raphe nuclei, the locus coeruleus, the nucleus ambiguus, the motor dorsal nucleus of the vagus nerve, the parabrachial nucleus, the hypothalamus and the thalamus.
Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (t-VNS)
The great results of vagus stimulation through implants are counteracted by the high risks and irreversibility of surgery and the huge costs involved. For these reasons, the development of external vagus stimulation without implants has been promoted. This stimulation uses external electrodes and an external stimulator. The stimulation pulses are equivalent to the pulses of implanted stimulators.
Key Features of device
It is used for the treatment of-
1) Pain and migraine
2) Epilepsy
3) Reduction in aggressive behaviors.
4) Tinnitus
5) Autism