US 12,144,987 B2
Methods and apparatuses for transdermal stimulation of the outer ear
William J. Tyler, Cave Creek, AZ (US); Wing Law, Cupertino, CA (US); Douglas Jeffery, San Jose, CA (US); and Rafal Piersiak, Los Gatos, CA (US)
Assigned to IST, LLC, Dover, DE (US)
Filed by IST, LLC, Dover, DE (US)
Filed on Dec. 23, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/146,021.
Application 18/146,021 is a continuation of application No. 16/588,925, filed on Sep. 30, 2019, granted, now 11,534,608.
Application 16/588,925 is a continuation in part of application No. 15/536,148, granted, now 10,426,945, issued on Oct. 1, 2019, previously published as PCT/US2016/012054, filed on Jan. 4, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/099,547, filed on Jan. 4, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/168,598, filed on May 29, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/190,205, filed on Jul. 8, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/200,250, filed on Aug. 3, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/168,615, filed on May 29, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/200,256, filed on Aug. 3, 2015.
Prior Publication US 2023/0125579 A1, Apr. 27, 2023
Int. Cl. A61N 1/36 (2006.01); A61M 21/02 (2006.01); A61N 1/04 (2006.01); A61M 21/00 (2006.01)
CPC A61N 1/36025 (2013.01) [A61M 21/02 (2013.01); A61N 1/0408 (2013.01); A61N 1/36034 (2017.08); A61N 1/36036 (2017.08); A61M 2021/0072 (2013.01); A61M 2210/0662 (2013.01); A61N 1/0476 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of inducing or enhancing attention, alertness, and/or mental focus, the method comprising:
placing a first electrode of a portable transdermal electrical stimulation (TES) applicator into a subject's first ear in contact with a first pinna, and placing a second electrode of the portable TES applicator into the subject's second ear in contact with a second pinna, wherein the first and second electrodes include a conductive hydrogel that contacts the skin of the subject;
activating the TES applicator to deliver pulsed electrical stimulation between the first and second electrodes at an intensity of 2 mA or greater, a duty cycle of greater than 50% and a frequency of between 200 Hz and 2 kHz; and
delivering the pulsed electrical stimulation between the first and second electrodes for 10 seconds or longer to enhance attention, alertness, and/or mental focus without causing discomfort caused by the pulsed electrical stimulation.