US 5,190,053 A · Method and apparatus for electrical sublingual stimulation

Abstract

An intra-oral, sublingual electrode device for the electrical stimulation of a genioglossus muscle to maintain the patency of an upper airway in the treatment of sleep apnea syndrome is disclosed as having a plurality of electrodes mounted to a support that is securable within an oral cavity to maintain optimally effective electrode disposition. The support is temporarily and conveniently securable, for example, to a patient's lower teeth. The support includes a plurality of electrode support members, each supporting and electrically insulating an electrode. Electrical conductors connected to the electrodes are routed through portions of the device to enhance the latter's stability, to protect the conductors and to position the conductors for comfortable egress from the patient's mouth. Various apparatus for fastening the assembly in place and for urging the electrodes into comfortable and effective contact are also disclosed, as are various methods of electrical muscle stimulation.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A sublingual electrode device for applying stimulating electrical pulses from a source thereof to a patient's genioglossus muscle to maintain upper airway patency int eh treatment of sleep apnea syndrome, the device comprising:

a plurality of electrodes;
a plurality of electrical conductors, each conductor being electrically connected to a different one of the electrodes to conduct electrical pulses form the source thereof to the electrode to which each conductor is connected;
and
support means for sublingually supporting the electrodes to maintain an optimally effective intra-oral, sublingual disposition of the electrodes.

1 more element

A method for electrically stimulating a patient's genioglossus muscle to maintain upper airway patency int he treatment of sleep apnea syndrome, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of electrodes;
providing a plurality of electrical conductors, each conductor being electrically connected to a different one of the electrodes to conduct electrical pulses to the electrode to which each conductor is connected;
providing support means for sublingually supporting the electrodes to maintain an optimally effective intra-oral, sublingual disposition of the electrodes, a first electrode being maintained in contact with the mucosa of the floor of, and on one side of the frenulum of, the patient's mouth and a second electrode being maintained in contact with the mucosa on the other side of the frenulum;
providing an electrical pulse source connected to the conductors, the source having an output providing electrical pulses of selectable mode, polarity, amplitude, current, pulse width and frequency;
positioning the support means within the patient's mouth so that the electrodes are effectively and comfortably in contact with the mucosa;
and
supplying, at predetermined times, electrical pulses from form the source thereof to the electrodes such that the pulses pass from at least one electrode on one side of the frenulum, through the genioglossus muscle, to at least one electrode on the other side of the frenulum.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for electrical sublingual stimulation

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for electrical sublingual stimulation

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20