Obstructive sleep apnea treatment devices, systems and methods
First Claim
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1. A programmable neurostimulator comprising:
- a processor configured to;
deliver a respiratory therapy to a subject;
titrate a stimulation setting of the respiratory therapy while the subject is awake by delivering a first set of stimulation pulses at a plurality of first stimulation setting values between a lower limit defined by a capture threshold corresponding to a beneficial effect of the respiratory therapy and an upper limit defined by a comfort threshold corresponding to an unacceptable sensation experienced by the subject; and
subsequently, while the subject is asleep, repeat the step of titrating the stimulation setting of the respiratory therapy by delivering a second set of stimulation pulses at a plurality of second stimulation setting values, wherein one or more of the plurality of second stimulation setting values is different than one or more of the plurality of first stimulation setting values and the plurality of second stimulation setting values are between the lower limit defined by the capture threshold and a second upper limit defined by a threshold at which the subject is expected to at least partially arouse from sleep.
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Abstract
Devices, systems and methods of neurostimulation for treating obstructive sleep apnea.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A programmable neurostimulator comprising:
a processor configured to; deliver a respiratory therapy to a subject; titrate a stimulation setting of the respiratory therapy while the subject is awake by delivering a first set of stimulation pulses at a plurality of first stimulation setting values between a lower limit defined by a capture threshold corresponding to a beneficial effect of the respiratory therapy and an upper limit defined by a comfort threshold corresponding to an unacceptable sensation experienced by the subject; and subsequently, while the subject is asleep, repeat the step of titrating the stimulation setting of the respiratory therapy by delivering a second set of stimulation pulses at a plurality of second stimulation setting values, wherein one or more of the plurality of second stimulation setting values is different than one or more of the plurality of first stimulation setting values and the plurality of second stimulation setting values are between the lower limit defined by the capture threshold and a second upper limit defined by a threshold at which the subject is expected to at least partially arouse from sleep. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A programmable neurostimulator comprising:
a processor configured to; deliver a respiratory therapy to a subject; identify a stimulation operating window for the respiratory therapy, wherein the stimulation operating window includes a first threshold and a second threshold, wherein the first threshold is defined as a first level of stimulation at which a beneficial response is observed in an upper airway of the subject, and wherein the second threshold is defined as a second level of stimulation greater than the first level of stimulation; wherein the second threshold comprises an awake level at which the subject experiences an unacceptable sensation while awake and an asleep level greater than the awake level at which the subject is expected to at least partially arouse from sleep; and wherein the programmable neurostimulator is configured to identify the stimulation operating window for the respiratory therapy by; titrating a stimulation setting of the respiratory therapy while the subject is awake by delivering successive stimulation bursts until the first threshold and the awake level of the second threshold are identified, wherein at least one of the successive stimulation bursts includes an intensity different than another one of the successive stimulation bursts; and subsequently repeating the step of titrating the stimulation setting of the respiratory therapy while the subject is asleep by delivering successive stimulation bursts until the asleep level of the second threshold is identified. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
Specification