Apparatus and method for treating obstructive sleep apnea

A method to treat obstructive sleep apnea or to avoid an apneic or hypoxic episode in a subject having a tongue, the method comprising:

• providing a sensor to monitor the position of the tongue and/or the force exerted by the tongue against the sensor, one or more electrodes to deliver electrical stimuli to the subject, an electronic controller to translate a signal received from the sensor and to deliver electrical pulses to the one or more electrodes, and a power source to deliver electricity to the sensor, the one or more electrodes, and the electronic controller;
• sensing the position of the tongue and/or the force exerted by the tongue against the sensor;
• determining based on the sensed position of the tongue that the tongue is in an undesired position, the tongue being in an undesired position when the tongue is not in an anterior position, not in close proximity to the sensor, not touching the sensor, and/or not exerting a prescribed force upon the sensor;
• and
• causing electrical pulses to be delivered to the subject via the one or more electrodes when it is determined that the tongue is in an undesired position, the electrical pulses being configured to cause the tongue to move to a desired position.

A system for treating obstructive sleep apnea in a patient having a mouth with a tongue, the system comprising:

• a sensor configured to generate a signal encoding at least one of (a) a position of the tongue, and (b) force exerted by the tongue against the sensor;
• one or more electrodes to deliver electrical stimulus to the tongue;
• an electronic controller configured to translate the signal generated by the sensor into electrical pulses, and deliver those electrical pulses to the one or more electrodes, the electrical pulses being configured to cause the tongue to move anteriorly or dorsally within the patient's mouth when the electrical pulses are delivered to the patient's tongue;
• and
• a power source configured to deliver electricity to at least one of the sensor, the one or more electrodes, and the electronic controller.

An apparatus for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea or for avoiding an apneic or hypoxic episode in a subject in a patient having a mouth, a tongue, and an airway, the apparatus comprising:

• means for generating the position of the tongue and/or force exerted by the tongue;
• means for translating the signal encoding the position of the tongue and/or force exerted by the tongue into a plurality of electrical pulses;
• means for delivering the plurality of electrical pulses to the tongue, when delivered to the patient's tongue, the electrical pulses being configured to cause the tongue to move within the patient's mouth such that the patient's airway is less obstructed b the tongue;
• and
• means for providing electricity to at least one of the means for generating the signal, the means for translating the signal, and the means for delivering the plurality of electrical pulses.

A computer readable medium for use with a sensor, one or more electrodes, and a patient having a tongue, the computer readable medium having computer executable components that when executed by one or more processors perform a method comprising:

• monitoring a signal generated by the sensor, the signal encoding the position of the tongue and/or force exerted by the tongue against the sensor;
• translating the signal received from the sensor in to a series of electrical pulses;
• and
• delivering the series of electrical pulses to the patient via one or more electrodes to thereby cause the tongue to move.