Neurostimulation
Under neurostimulation generally refers to the stimulation of nerves by means of current pulses. The transmission of stimuli takes place in both afferent and efferent directions.
Auricular neurostimulation is a minimally invasive therapy option and is limited to the stimulation of purely afferent nerve branches. This simple form of therapy, which is less stressful for the patient, is increasingly being used for PAD, wound healing disorders and pain.
The mechanism of action in circulatory disorders is assumed to be the influence of the sensory path on the microcirculation.
In the therapy of chronic pain, influencing anti-inflammatory mechanisms is likely to be of corresponding importance.
In neurostimulation , the current impulses from a neurostimulator inhibit the transmission of excitation from overactive nerves . Neurological disease symptoms can be alleviated in this way. There are both procedures in which the stimulation takes place with an external device and procedures for which the neurostimulation device is implanted. Before an implantation, a test stimulation is used to clarify whether the patient is eligible for the form of treatment and whether the right nerve is being stimulated to alleviate symptoms .
Components of a neurostimulator
Both external and implantable and programmable neurostimulators consist of a stimulator , a device the size of a cigarette box or smartphone, in which the required high-performance electronics and the battery are housed, and a multi-pole electrode . The electrode stimulates the corresponding nerves, the stimulator gives it the impulses . With external stimulators, the strength and frequency of the impulses are set independently by the patient, with implantable stimulators programmed by the attending physician after the implantation . In some cases the patient is also given a programming device that can be used to turn the stimulator on and off and to change the pulses within limits defined by the doctor.
Use of neurostimulation
- Bladder pacemakers
- Intestinal pacemakers
- Brain pacemakers ( deep brain stimulation )
- the Epilepsy Therapy
- of pain therapy
- of migraine therapy
- of tinnitus therapy
- Tongue pacemakers
- Cluster headache therapy
See also
- Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
- Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)
- Small Fiber Matrix Stimulation (SFMS)
- Spinal cord stimulation
Individual evidence
- ↑ CPAP alternative - dental splint or surgery. In: SeegartenKlinik Heidelberg. February 5, 2018, accessed on May 12, 2020 (German).
