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US 8,644,921 B2Granted
Neuromodulation system and method for treating apnea
AssigneeNeurostream Technologies G. P.
InventorWillard Wilson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present disclosure provides systems and methods for treating apnea by controlled delivery of a swallow stimulus to a subject in which apnea is detected. In the systems and method, burst electrical or mechanical stimulation to one or more swallow-related nerves and/or muscles can be timed for delivery between the expiratory phase of the respiration cycle, following detection of an apneic event in the subject.
Claims67
A system for treating apnea in a subject, comprising:
- a) an electrode configured for positioning in contact with the internal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve (iSLN) of the subject;
- b) a control unit comprising:
- i. a signal conditioning module for conditioning an electroneurogram signal from the electrode;
- ii. an apnea monitoring and detection module operatively coupled to the signal conditioning module and configured for computing an index of respiratory activity from the conditioned electroneurogram signal, wherein when the index of respiratory activity is at or above a predetermined level, the index of respiratory activity is indicative of an occurrence of an apneic event;
- and
- iii. a therapy control module operatively coupled to the apnea monitoring and detection module and configured to control delivery of a swallow stimulus to the subject when the index of respiratory activity is indicative of an occurrence of an apneic event.
3 more elements
A method for treating apnea, the method comprising:
- a) sensing a respiratory signal in a subject;
- b) detecting apnea based on the respiratory signal;
- c) when apnea is detected, triggering the delivery of a swallow stimulus sufficient to elicit all or part of a swallow in the subject;
- and
- d) optionally repeating steps (a) through (c).
2 more elements
A method for treating sleep apnea, the method comprising:
- a) recording an electroneurogram signal from the internal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve (iSLN) of the subject;
- b) conditioning the electroneurogram signal;
- c) computing an index of respiratory activity from the conditioned electroneurogram signal;
- d) reporting an occurrence of an apneic event when the index of respiratory activity is at or above a predetermined level;
- and
- e) upon occurrence of an apneic event, triggering delivery of a swallow stimulus to the subject, wherein the swallow stimulus is sufficient to elicit all or part of a swallow sequence in the subject.
3 more elements
A device for treating apnea in a subject, comprising:
- a) an electrode configured for positioning in contact with the internal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve (iSLN) of the subject, further configured for obtaining an electroneurogram signal from the iSLN and for delivering electrical stimulation to the iSLN;
- b) a control unit comprising:
- i. a signal conditioning module for conditioning the electroneurogram signal from the electrode;
- and
- ii. an apnea monitoring and detection module operatively coupled to the signal conditioning module and configured for computing an index of respiratory activity from the conditioned electroneurogram signal, wherein when the index of respiratory activity is at or above a predetermined level, the index of respiratory activity is indicative of an occurrence of an apneic event;
- iii. a therapy control module wherein the therapy control module is configured to control delivery of a swallow stimulus, wherein delivery of the swallow stimulus is triggered when the index of respiratory activity is indicative of an occurrence of an apneic event.
3 more elements
A method for treating dysphagia, the method comprising:
- a) sensing a dysphagia signal in a subject;
- b) detecting dysphagia based on the dysphagia signal;
- c) when dysphagia is detected, triggering the delivery of a swallow stimulus sufficient to elicit all or part of a swallow in the subject;
- and
- d) optionally repeating steps (a)-(c).
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.