METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PREVENTING OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA
First Claim
1. A method for preventing obstructive sleep apnea events in a patient comprising:
- providing at least one electrode adapted to deliver electrical stimulation to the patient'"'"'s genioglossus muscle; and
stimulating the electrode at a frequency and intensity sufficient to maintain muscle tone of the patient'"'"'s geniolossus muscle without causing significant contraction of the genioglossus muscle and without interrupting the patient'"'"'s sleep, for preventing sleep apnea events from occurring.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and device for creating an afferent stimulus for preventing obstructive sleep apnea are disclosed. The device includes at least one electrode and a stimulator, of which at least one electrode stimulates the genioglossus muscle of a patient having obstructive sleep apnea. The electrode is capable of conducting selected electrical stimulation generated by the stimulator, and the system is capable of delivering the selected electrical stimulation during a selected time of day. The electrical stimulation is selected to maintain sufficient muscle tone of the genioglossus muscle to prevent it from obstructing the airway during sleep, preferably at a stimulus intensity low enough to avoid awakening the patient during sleep. A removable mouthpiece having a battery, at least one electrode, and a controller, and optionally a sensor, can be used for providing the stimulation.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1. A method for preventing obstructive sleep apnea events in a patient comprising:
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providing at least one electrode adapted to deliver electrical stimulation to the patient'"'"'s genioglossus muscle; and
stimulating the electrode at a frequency and intensity sufficient to maintain muscle tone of the patient'"'"'s geniolossus muscle without causing significant contraction of the genioglossus muscle and without interrupting the patient'"'"'s sleep, for preventing sleep apnea events from occurring. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for preventing obstructive sleep apnea events in a patient comprising:
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providing at least one electrode adapted to deliver electrical stimulation to the patient'"'"'s genioglossus muscle; and
stimulating the electrode at a frequency and intensity, sufficient to maintain muscle tone of the patient'"'"'s tongue and without interrupting the patient'"'"'s sleep, for preventing sleep apnea events from occurring. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A mouthpiece for preventing sleep apnea comprising:
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a) a body sized to fit in a patient'"'"'s mouth without obstructing the patient'"'"'s air passage;
b) an electrode supported by the body and positioned for stimulating the patient'"'"'s genioglossus muscle;
c) a battery supported by the body and in electrical communication with the electrode for providing electricity so that the electrode can stimulate the patient'"'"'s genioglossus muscle; and
d) a controller supported by the body for controlling the frequency and intensity of the stimulation provided by the electrode at a level to maintain muscle tone of the patient'"'"'s genioglossus muscle without causing significant contraction of the genioglossus muscle and without interrupting the patient'"'"'s sleep. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. A method for preventing obstructive sleep apnea events in a patient comprising:
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(a) placing a removable mouthpiece having an electrode in the patient'"'"'s mouth proximate to the lingual surface of the patient'"'"'s bottom teeth with the electrode in contact with the patient'"'"'s genioglossus muscle; and
(b) stimulating the genioglossus muscle with the electrode. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40)
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Specification