Systems and methods of detecting and treating obstructive sleep apnea

An implantable nerve stimulation system configured to deliver a stimulation therapy, the implantable nerve stimulation system comprising:

• a sensor configured to detect a respiration signal of a subject, the respiration signal defining a respiratory waveform of the subject;
• a stimulation electrode configured to deliver the stimulation therapy to a hypoglossal nerve of the subject;
• and
• a processor communicating with the sensor and the stimulation electrode, the processor configured to:
• detect the respiratory waveform of the subject with the sensor, the respiratory waveform including a plurality of respiratory cycles each corresponding to at least one of a breath or an attempted breath of the subject;
• commencing a first therapy of the stimulation therapy, the first therapy including an implantable nerve stimulator generating a series of first stimulation pulses configured for delivery to the hypoglossal nerve of the subject via the stimulation electrode, each stimulation pulse of the series of first stimulation pulses timed to coincide with at least one of an output of a timer or a detection of a first feature of one of the plurality of respiratory cycles;
• and
• upon detection of a second feature of at least two of the plurality of respiratory cycles, transitioning from the first therapy to a second therapy of the stimulation therapy, the second therapy including the implantable nerve stimulator generating a series of second stimulation pulses configured for delivery to the hypoglossal nerve of the subject via the stimulation electrode, each stimulation pulse of the series of second stimulation pulses timed to coincide with the detection of the second feature of the at least two of the plurality of respiratory cycles, the second therapy different than the first therapy, wherein the second feature is a trend of the at least two respiratory cycles.

An implantable nerve stimulator configured to deliver a stimulation therapy, the implantable nerve stimulator comprising:

• a processor communicating with a sensor and a stimulation electrode, the processor configured to:
• detect a respiratory waveform of a subject via the sensor, the respiratory waveform including a plurality of respiratory cycles each corresponding to at least one of a breath or an attempted breath of the subject;
• commencing a first therapy of the stimulation therapy, the first therapy including generating a series of first stimulation pulses configured for delivery to a hypoglossal nerve of the subject via the stimulation electrode, each stimulation pulse of the series of first stimulation pulses timed to coincide with at least one of an output of a timer or a detection of a first feature of one of the plurality of respiratory cycles;
• and
• upon detection of a second feature of at least two of the plurality of respiratory cycles, transitioning from the first therapy to a second therapy of the stimulation therapy, the second therapy including generating a series of second stimulation pulses configured for delivery to the hypoglossal nerve of the subject via the stimulation electrode, each stimulation pulse of the series of second stimulation pulses timed to coincide with the detection of the second feature of the at least two of the plurality of respiratory cycles, the second therapy different than the first therapy, wherein the second feature is a trend of the at least two respiratory cycles.