Eliciting swallowing using electrical stimulation applied via surface electrodes
AssigneeMed-El Elektromedizinische GeräTe GmbH
InventorsWerner Lindenthaler, Matthias Ladurner, Winfried Mayr, Matthias Krenn
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method of eliciting a swallowing reflex in a human subject. Stimulation signals are generated for eliciting a full swallowing reflex when applied to skin overlying a region of thyroid cartilage in the neck. The stimulation signals delivered via surface electrodes to the skin overlying at least the region of thyroid cartilage in the neck to elicit the full swallowing reflex in the human subject.
Claims20
A method of eliciting a swallowing reflex in a human subject, the method comprising:
- generating stimulation signals for eliciting a full swallowing reflex when applied to a region of thyroid cartilage in the neck of the human subject, the full swallowing reflex including raising the larynx, the stimulation signals including a bipolar stimulation pulse having a first pulse phase duration of at least 100 ms;
- and
- delivering the stimulation signals via electrodes to the region of thyroid cartilage in the neck to elicit the full swallowing reflex in the human subject.
A method of eliciting a swallowing reflex in a human subject, the method comprising:
- generating stimulation signals for eliciting a full swallowing reflex when applied to a region of thyroid cartilage in the neck of the human subject, the full swallowing reflex including raising the larynx, the stimulation signals including a unipolar stimulation pulse that increases in magnitude for a duration of at least 100ms;
- and
- delivering the stimulation signals via electrodes to the region of thyroid cartilage in the neck to elicit the full swallowing reflex in the human subject,
- wherein the human subject does not suffer from denervated laryngeal muscles.
A system for eliciting a full swallowing reflex in a human subject, the system comprising:
- a plurality of electrodes configured to be placed proximate a region of thyroid cartilage in the neck;
- and
- a controller configured to generate a stimulation signal for eliciting the full swallowing reflex in the human subject, the full swallowing reflex including raising the larynx, the stimulation signal including a bipolar stimulation pulse having a first pulse phase duration of at least 100 ms, the controller configured to provide the stimulation signal to the plurality of electrodes upon receipt of a trigger signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.