The device
What you are looking at
The tVNS® device is a small, rechargeable pulse generator about the size of a mobile phone. It connects to an ear electrode that sits in the cymba conchae, a region of the outer ear that anatomical studies describe as supplied by the auricular branch of the vagus nerve. When switched on, it delivers controlled electrical pulses to the auricular branch of the vagus nerve through the skin. No surgery. No implant. Used at home, for a few hours a day.
The device is manufactured in Germany by tVNS Technologies GmbH and is a certified Class IIa medical device under EU MDR 2017/745. Anatomical Concepts UK is the UK distributor. It is the version made for people to use at home, with the stimulation settings fixed to the certified protocol.
If you are a researcher looking for the programmable version used in ethics-approved studies, that is a different product for a different buyer. It has its own page.
What comes in the box
Every tVNS® delivery includes:
- The tVNS® stimulator. The pulse generator itself, with an internal rechargeable battery.
- An ear electrode with cable clip. The standard electrode uses silicone rings to hold it in place in the ear. This is the easier electrode to fit and is suitable for the majority of users. A hook electrode is available as an alternative.
- A storage case. For carrying and protecting the device when not in use.
- A charger with micro-USB connector. Charges the internal battery in under three hours.
- Electrode cream. Applied to the electrode contact surfaces to ensure good conductivity with the skin.
- Electrode pads. Sixty single-use pads, which is about two months of daily use at four hours a day.
What you replace over time
The stimulator is the durable part. Two things wear:
- Electrode pads are single use. A pack of 360 covers about a year at daily use.
- The ear electrode is a consumable that is replaced periodically as the contact surfaces wear. We will tell you what to expect for its life when we speak, and we are agreeing a consumables plan so that pads and electrodes arrive without you having to think about it.
The companion app
The tVNS® device can be used with or without the manufacturer's Patient App. The device works independently, so the app is not required, but it adds useful functionality.
- Session tracking. Records when you use the device, for how long, and at what settings.
- Session execution. Guides you through a stimulation session with on-screen prompts.
- Usage history. Gives you and your clinician a record of your treatment to review at appointments. The log stays on your phone; it is yours to show your consultant, and we never receive it.
We are confirming with the manufacturer that the app is available on the UK App Store and Google Play, and will state that here once it is in writing.
Using the device without the app
If you prefer not to use the app, the device operates independently with its built-in controls. You switch it on, set the intensity to a comfortable level, and use it for the prescribed duration. Many people use it this way.
How to use it
The practical side of daily use is straightforward.
- Apply a small amount of electrode cream to the electrode contact surfaces.
- Fit the ear electrode. It sits in the cymba conchae of the left ear, held in place by the silicone rings. It should feel secure but comfortable.
- Connect the electrode to the stimulator via the cable clip.
- Switch on and set the intensity. Increase gradually until you feel a clear but comfortable tingling. It should never be painful. Your clinician will advise on the target level.
- Use for the prescribed duration. Typically a few hours per day, depending on your condition and your clinician's guidance. You can read, work, watch television, or rest while using the device.
- Switch off, disconnect, and store. Clean the electrode and return everything to the storage case.
A full charge lasts more than two days of typical use, so you do not need to charge the device daily.
Technical specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 100 mm x 60 mm x 20 mm |
| Weight | 115 g |
| Battery | Internal lithium polymer, 4.2 V, rechargeable, permanently installed |
| Power consumption | Less than 500 mA DC |
| Operating time | Greater than 2 days (per charge) |
| Standby time | Greater than 3 months |
| Charging time | Less than 3 hours |
| Charger connector | Micro-USB |
| Stimulation frequency | 25 Hz, fixed |
| Ingress protection | IP22 (protected from water spray less than 15 degrees from vertical) |
| Operating temperature | +5 degrees C to +40 degrees C |
| Humidity | 15% to 93%, non-condensing |
| Atmospheric pressure | 700 to 1060 hPa |
What it costs
£3,046.76 inc. VAT (£2,538.97 ex. VAT)
The price includes the stimulator, ear electrode with cable clip, storage case, charger, electrode cream, and the starter pads. Everything you need to begin is in the box.
The price is not the whole story, because we do not sell this device on its own. It comes with the conversation before you buy and the support afterwards, and we are finalising a supported evaluation period with a decision point matched to your condition, so that you are not asked to judge a treatment that takes months on the strength of a fortnight. The how to access page explains how that works and will carry the terms once they are settled.
Replacement parts and consumables
| Item | Price (ex. VAT) | Price (inc. VAT) |
|---|---|---|
| Ear electrode (left or right, hook or standard) | £362.59 | £435.11 |
| Electrode pads (360 pieces) | £29.02 | £34.82 |
| Electrode cream | £10.88 | £13.06 |
| Carrying case | £10.14 | £12.17 |
| Charger with USB cable | £10.88 | £13.06 |
| Travel container for cream | £2.17 | £2.60 |
| Silicone rings (L/M/S set) for the standard ear electrode | £13.05 | £15.66 |
Prices are in pounds sterling. VAT is charged at 20%. Delivery is UK wide.
If you are a clinician or institution and want to discuss invoicing, please contact us directly.
- Phone: +44 141 628 8222
- Email: info@anatomicalconcepts.com
Warranty and support
The tVNS® device is supplied with the manufacturer's warranty. In the UK, warranty claims are handled directly by Anatomical Concepts UK. You do not need to contact the manufacturer in Germany. If something goes wrong, call or email us and we will work with you to resolve it.
Your statutory rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 are not affected by the warranty.
Read the full terms and conditions
What to do next
If you want to talk it through, or want to learn more before you decide:
Contact Anatomical Concepts UK
Researchers: the tVNS R research device has its own page.
This page is for information only. It is not medical advice. Any decision about tVNS should be made with your clinician, who knows your full medical history.
tVNS® is a registered trademark. tVNS is a Class IIa medical device manufactured by tVNS Technologies GmbH, Germany. Distributed in the UK by Anatomical Concepts UK Ltd.