An expansible ear canal insert for treating TMJ disorders and headaches which acts directly on the TMJ and associated ligament and muscle structures to reduce stress and loads placed on the articulator disc located between the temporal bone and the mandible, as well as supportive muscles and ligaments near the TMJ. The insert is adapted to expand by application of body heat. In the expanded condition, the insert provides support to the TMJ and associated ligament and muscle structures.

An auricular peripheral nerve field stimulator system includes an electrical stimulation device for generating electrical stimulation signals and a plurality of therapy electrodes each electrically coupled to the electrical stimulation device and each including a plurality of needles for percutaneous insertion into an auricle of a human ear near at least one neural vascular bundle located therein. In some embodiments, at least one reference electrode electrically is coupled to the electrical stimulation device and includes at least one needle for percutaneous insertion into or adjacent the auricle to provide a ground reference for the electrical stimulation device. The generated electrical stimulation signals are, in any case, delivered by the percutaneously inserted needles to stimulate an auricular peripheral nerve field within the auricle.

An expansible ear canal insert for treating TMJ disorders and headaches which acts directly on the TMJ and associated ligament and muscle structures to reduce stress and loads placed on the articulator disc located between the temporal bone and the mandible, as well as supportive muscles and ligaments near the TMJ. The insert is adapted to expand by application of body heat. In the expanded condition, the insert provides support to the TMJ and associated ligament and muscle structures.

We disclose methods and medical device systems for selectively recruiting a nerve fiber type within a cranial nerve, a peripheral nerve or a spinal root. Such a method may comprise applying a first pressure, a heating, and/or a cooling to a second location of the nerve, the pressure, heating, or cooling sufficient to substantially block at least one of activation or conduction in at least one fiber population through the second location of the nerve for a blocking time period; and applying an electrical signal to a first location during the blocking time period.

The present disclosure provides a device for opening an eustachian tube of a patient. The device comprises a body having a top portion and an axis and a nose scaling portion positioned at the top portion of the body. The nose scaling portion has at least one opening and a sealing surface surrounding the at least one opening and arranged for contact with a nose of the patient. The device further comprises a mouthpiece positioned at the top portion of the body spaced apart from the nose sealing portion by a distance that at least approximates a distance between mouth and nose of the patient. The mouthpiece comprises a projection projecting from the top portion of the body in a direction approximately along the axis of the body. The projection providing a conduit for the fluid and being coupled to the source of the fluid. The projection comprises a first side portion that faces towards the nose sealing portion, the first side portion comprising a cut-away portion, at least one hole or perforations. The mouthpiece and the nose scaling portion are positioned and arranged such that, when the mouth of the patient encloses the cut-away portion, the at least one hole or the perforations at the first side portion, an opening of the nose of the patient is at least in close proximity of the sealing surface of the nose sealing portion whereby it is facilitated that pressurized air can penetrate from the source of the pressurized air into the nose of the patient to open an eustachian tube of the patient.

The invention relates to an electrical stimulation device with a stimulator containing a generator for generating electrical stimulation impulses with defined stimulation parameters, and a power supply for supplying the generator with electrical energy, and with at least one needle electrode array for insertion into the skin surface of an area that is to be stimulated. This includes an apparatus for stimulating auricular points on the human ear is provided using low voltage pulses that are generated and delivered by portions of the apparatus, particularly by percutaneously implanted needle electrodes into the cranial and/or peripheral nerves and corresponding neural vascular bundles of the auricular and periauricular areas. The system includes methods of evaluating and implanting of the electrode/needle array. The methods may include transillumination of the auricular and periauricular tissues and surrounding neurovascular anatomy.

We disclose methods and medical device systems for selectively recruiting a nerve fiber type within a cranial nerve, a peripheral nerve or a spinal root. Such a method may comprise applying a first pressure, a heating, and/or a cooling to a second location of the nerve, the pressure, heating, or cooling sufficient to substantially block at least one of activation or conduction in at least one fiber population through the second location of the nerve for a blocking time period; and applying an electrical signal to a first location during the blocking time period.

A tinnitus treatment system comprising a sound processing unit, a haptic stimulus unit and an audio delivery unit. The sound processing unit comprises a processor input for receiving an audio signal; and a digital signal processor operable to analyse said audio signal and generate a plurality of actuation signals therefrom which are representative of said audio signal. The digital signal processor is further operable to spectrally modify said audio signal in accordance with a predetermined modification profile to generate a modified audio signal. The haptic stimulus unit comprises an array of stimulators each of which can be independently actuated to apply a tactile stimulus to a subject; and a stimulus unit input for receiving the plurality of actuation signals generated by said digital signal processor and directing individual actuation signals to individual stimulators. The audio delivery unit comprises an audio delivery unit input for receiving the modified audio signal generated by said digital signal processor.

Systems and related methods for controlling an ear stimulation device with a personal computing device, in response to determination of electrical contact of an electrode in a stimulator earpiece with an ear of a user of the personal computing device, are described. If the electrode is not in good electrical contact with the ear of the user, delivery of the stimulus is prevented and the user is notified of the status of the electrode. In various aspects, the user is instructed to reposition the earpiece or replace, clean, moisten, or apply gel to at least a portion of the electrode.

In an embodiment, a nerve stimulation earpiece includes an ear canal insert, and a concha insert. The canal insert fits into an ear canal of a subject. The canal insert includes a first electrode configured to electrically contact skin within the ear canal of the subject. The concha insert fits within a concha of the subject. The concha insert includes a base portion that fits within the cavum of the concha of the subject, a wing portion that fits within the cymba of the concha of the subject, and at least one second electrode configured to electrically contact at least a portion of the concha. The earpiece includes a first electrical connector for connecting the first electrode on the canal insert to a first electrical current source, and a second electrical connector for connecting the second electrode on the concha insert to a second electrical current source.