Method of treating obstructive sleep apnea using implantable electrodes
First Claim
1. A method of treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) using an electrical stimulator controllable to provide electrical stimulation pulses in accordance with a regular stimulation pattern having a controlled rhythm comprising:
- (a) determining an approximate natural respiration cycle of a patient;
(b) positioning electrodes in or on the patient at a location near the oropharynx muscles; and
(c) applying an electrical stimulus to the electrodes from the electrical stimulator at a rate that approximates the rate of a natural respiration cycle, wherein the oropharynx muscles are stimulated to pull open obstructed airways at a rhythm that is the same as or close to the natural respiration cycle;
wherein the respiratory rate of the patient is entrained to follow the rhythm of the electrical stimulator, whereby obstructed airways are kept open.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Electrodes are implanted at strategic locations within a patient and are then controlled in a manner so as to stimulate muscle and nerve tissue in a constructive manner which helps open blocked airways. In a preferred method, at least one microstimulator treats sleep apnea in an open loop fashion by providing electrical stimulation pulses in a rhythm or cycle having a period corresponding approximately to the natural respiratory rhythm of the patient. Such open loop stimulation entrains the patient'"'"'s respiratory rate to follow the pattern set by the microstimulator so that stimulation is applied to open the airway during a period of inspiration by the patient.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. A method of treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) using an electrical stimulator controllable to provide electrical stimulation pulses in accordance with a regular stimulation pattern having a controlled rhythm comprising:
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(a) determining an approximate natural respiration cycle of a patient;
(b) positioning electrodes in or on the patient at a location near the oropharynx muscles; and
(c) applying an electrical stimulus to the electrodes from the electrical stimulator at a rate that approximates the rate of a natural respiration cycle, wherein the oropharynx muscles are stimulated to pull open obstructed airways at a rhythm that is the same as or close to the natural respiration cycle;
wherein the respiratory rate of the patient is entrained to follow the rhythm of the electrical stimulator, whereby obstructed airways are kept open. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method of treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) using an electrical stimulator controllable to provide electrical stimulation pulses in accordance with a regular stimulation pattern having a controlled rhythm comprising:
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(a) determining an approximate natural respiration cycle of a subject;
(b) positioning electrodes near the oropharynx muscles of the subject; and
(c) applying an electrical stimulus to the electrodes to pull open obstructed airways at a rhythm that is the same as or close to the natural respiration cycle. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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Specification