Patent attributes
The present invention provides a device and assembly for electrically and/or chemically stimulating individual ganglion and a plurality of ganglia of the nervous system, and particularly to ganglia of the sympathetic nerve chain. A device is provided that generally wraps around an individual ganglion and conforms to the shape of the ganglion without exerting excessive pressure on the ganglion to damage the ganglion. An assembly is also provided that includes an axially elongated shaft that can be positioned adjacent to the sympathetic nerve chain and that can receive a plurality of ganglion stimulators that can slidably engage with the outer surface of the shaft. As additional ganglia are desired to be stimulated, each of the plurality of ganglion stimulators can be added to the shaft to engage the outer surface of the shaft and can be positioned adjacent to the ganglia desired to be stimulated.