tVNS® R

Therapeutic & Research Principle 

tVNS® R stimulates the auricular branch of the vagus nerve through the skin of the left ear, imitating natural vagal signalling to the nucleus tractus solitarius in the brainstem. This stimulation promotes parasympathetic activation, restoring autonomic balance and influencing neural networks involved in mood regulation, attention, pain processing, inflammation control, and visceral function.  

Studies demonstrate effects across both neural and physiological domains, making tVNS® R an essential tool for researchers exploring neuromodulation in psychiatry, neuroimaging, cognitive neuroscience, and autonomic physiology. 

(Butt et al., 2020; Frangos et al., 2015; Farmer et al., 2021; Koenig et al., 2024.) 

Electrode Options  

Two ergonomic electrode designs ensure stable contact and participant comfort across various anatomies and use scenarios: 

• Hook Electrode – over-ear design allowing greater flexibility during movement or simultaneous use with in-ear devices. 

• Legacy Electrode – adjustable fit with silicone rings (small, medium, large), ideal for consistent placement in controlled environments. 

 Both electrodes are designed for auricular (left-ear) stimulation, consistent with established research standards, though bilateral and right-ear use are supported for investigational purposes. 

Triggered and Closed-Loop tVNS 

tVNS® R integrates seamlessly with external biosignal systems via the PC-based tVNS Manager. 

Stimulate precisely when physiological events occur, for example, triggering stimulation on ECG R-waves or EEG epochs, enabling real-time, event-based neuromodulation. 

 Ideal for: 

• Heart-brain interaction studies 

• Cognitive task-locked stimulation 

• Adaptive closed-loop clinical paradigms 

Companion Apps  

tVNS Research App 

• Wireless programming of all stimulation parameters 

• Real-time monitoring and data logging 

• Designed for investigator use 

tVNS Connect App 

• Participant-facing interface for home or supervised sessions 

• Logs session duration, timing, and intensity 

• Includes customisable diary and questionnaire modules 

• CSV export for integration with research software 

• Fully compliant with EU GDPR data protection standards 

Sham Stimulation for Controlled Trials 

To support rigorous study designs, the tVNS® R platform includes multiple sham stimulation options: 

• Earlobe stimulation (classic placebo control) 

• Non-functional sham electrodes indistinguishable from active ones 

• Compatible with both investigator and participant blinding 

Study Support and Regulatory Readiness  

tVNS® R is delivered with complete CB certification and investigational-use documentation, streamlining ethics submissions and import/export compliance. 

• CB report for IEC/ISO conformity 

• Documentation compatible with EU and international ethics requirements 

• Shortened approval timelines for multi-site research 

• • Technical and methodological support available through tVNS Technologies 

Data Logging and Export  

Every stimulation session is automatically logged and stored for audit and analysis. 

• Session metadata: date, time, parameters, duration 

• Export data as .CSV files for MATLAB, Python, R, or Excel 

• Combine physiological data with participant feedback from the Connect App 
• Enables transparent, reproducible reporting in line with international consensus standards (Farmer et al., 2021)