System comprising a probe for detecting a mass discharge of action potentials and a probe for stimulating a vagus nerve of an epilepsy patient

摘要

A treatment system for stimulating the vagus nerves is described, comprising the following elements: —a detection and control unit (20); —at least one detection probe (10d, 10g) connected to the detection and control unit and intended to be applied to at least one of the two vagus nerves of a patient; —means (24) provided in the detection and control unit for detecting a phenomenon of mass discharge of action potentials in at least one vagus nerve using the detection probe or detection probes; —stimulation probes (10d, 10g) for stimulating vagus nerves, and—means (24) provided in the detection and control unit that are capable, in response to the detection of a mass discharge, of applying predefined asymmetric stimulation signals to said stimulation probes capable of causing a depolarization and/or hyperpolarization of the vagus nerves and of blocking the conduction of the action potentials at least in the efferent direction. The system is intended for preventing the risk of sudden death in the event of an epileptic seizure in epilepsy patients.