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AssigneeElwha LLC
InventorsRoderick A. HYDE, Kenneth G. CALDEIRA, Lowell L. WOOD, JR., Dennis J. RIVET, Michael A. SMITH
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An embodiment of a system for treating sleep apnea includes a collar, a pump, and a motor. The collar has a vacuum surface and has a sealing surface that is configured to form a seal with a region of a neck of a subject having an airway. The pump is secured to the collar, and is configured to maintain the airway open by drawing a vacuum between the vacuum surface of the collar and a region of a throat of the subject. And the motor is secured to the collar and is configured to drive the pump. As compared to existing systems (e.g., a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) system) for treating sleep apnea, the above-described system may be more portable, more comfortable, may be less likely to require adjustment while a subject using the system is asleep, and, therefore, may be less likely to awaken the subject.
A system for treating sleep apnea, the system comprising:
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A method for treating sleep apnea, the method comprising:
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The method of claim 63 wherein forming the seal includes drawing the sealing surface against the portion of the neck via one or more fluid-outlet openings in the sealing surface.
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A system for treating sleep apnea, the system comprising:
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A system, comprising:
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A method, comprising:
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A system, comprising:
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Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.