Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media for treating medical conditions such as neurological disorders. A user device can be used to communicate with a user and can be used to control a treatment device. The treatment device can be an ear pressure treatment device. The system can execute treatment parameter profiles, and selection of the treatment parameter profiles can depend, at least in part, on feedback provided by the user, such as via the user device. One, two, or more nerves associated with target anatomical locations (e.g., one or both ears) can be stimulated. Some embodiments involve combination therapy including stimulating one or more nerves associated with at least one ear with a first stimulus modality, and a second stimulus modality that is the same as, or different from the first stimulus modality.

A heat transfer device particularly structured for application of thermal therapy from a contact surface to internal structures of a human ear. A device may be passive (pre-cooled), active (thermoelectrically active), or include elements of both. A device may be structured to apply thermal treatment from a contact surface of a contact cavity only to a localized posterior area relative to the circumference of an ear. A device may include both of a contact cavity and a bulk cavity, with heat transfer media disposed in each cavity. Typically, a bulk cavity holds at least twice the media volume contained in a contact cavity. The cavities may be disposed in fluid communication, or separated by a barrier to permit only thermal communication there-between. When a barrier between cavities is present, a device may include different heat transfer media in each cavity.

A device, including an inductive power transmission apparatus, wherein the device includes a dedicated heat transfer arrangement configured to transfer away from the device heat that is generated when transferring power using the device, and the device is configured to transmit inductance power transcutaneous into a person. The device can be a hearing prosthesis component.

An attachment for a device for generating an airflow or for dispensing a fluid, which attachment is adapted to be inserted at least in sections into an external ear canal of a human or animal ear. The attachment has a connecting piece for connecting the attachment to the device for generating an airflow, and has a guide vane of tongue-like design with a guide vane base for guiding air flowing out of the device for generating an airflow via the connecting piece.

A method of treating a subject in need thereof, is carried out by (a) administering said subject a therapeutic intervention (e.g., an active agent) in a treatment effective amount; and concurrently (b) administering said subject caloric vestibular stimulation in a treatment effective amount, said caloric vestibular stimulation administered so as to enhance the efficacy of said active agent. In some embodiments, the caloric vestibular stimulation is administered as an actively controlled time varying waveform.

Systems, devices, and methods for neurostimulation via vestibular stimulation are described. One example is a device for administering thermal stimulation to an ear canal of a subject. The device may include an earpiece configured to be at least partially insertable into the ear canal of the subject; a thermoelectric device thermally coupled to the earpiece and configured to heat and/or cool the earpiece to thereby heat and/or cool the ear canal of the subject; and a controller configured to administer a selected treatment plan including administering a caloric vestibular stimulation (CVS) stimulus to the ear canal of the subject in a condition-treatment effective amount during a first treatment interval. The treatment plan may be effective to produce a durable improvement in at least one symptom of the condition for a time of at least 1 week following cessation of the administering.

An in-ear stimulation device for administering caloric stimulation to the ear canal of a subject includes a frame defining a perimeter and having a center region, at least one tensioning member in the center region of the frame and being held by the frame, and an earpiece connected to the tensioning member in the center region of the frame. The frame is configured to generally rest on a head and around an ear of the subject such that the earpiece is positioned in the ear canal of the subject and the tensioning member exerts a force on the earpiece toward the ear canal of the subject.

The present invention provides devices, systems and methods for delivering one or more thermal waveforms to the vestibular system and/or the nervous system of a patient. In some embodiments, the present invention provides a vestibular stimulation device configured both to generate a prescription for delivering one or more thermal waveforms and to deliver the prescribed thermal waveforms.

A heat transfer device particularly structured for application of thermal therapy from a contact surface to internal structures of a human ear. A device may be passive (pre-cooled), active (thermoelectrically active), or include elements of both. A device may be structured to apply thermal treatment from a contact surface of a contact cavity only to a localized posterior area relative to the circumference of an ear. A device may include both of a contact cavity and a bulk cavity, with heat transfer media disposed in each cavity. Typically, a bulk cavity holds at least twice the media volume contained in a contact cavity. The cavities may be disposed in fluid communication, or separated by a barrier to permit only thermal communication therebetween. When a barrier is present, a device may include different heat transfer media in each cavity. One or more device may be associated with a pair of auditory headphones to dispose a contact surface in contact with desired portion(s) of a head.

A head-cooling cap for controlling swelling caused by any head injury is provided. The head-cooling cap includes a flexible, preferably adjustable cap-shaped main body with a plurality of inner cavities containing a cooling substance. The main body can be built in a three-dimensional cap shape or, alternatively, be deformable to adopt a three-dimensional cap shape. When the head-cooling cap is placed on a user's head, the cooling substance, which has been kept at an adequate cold temperature, will cool the head and control any swelling caused by a traumatic head injury. When not placed on a user's head, the head-cooling cap can be conveniently stored in a refrigerator or freezer to prepare it for further use.