METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ASSISTING DEGLUTITION
First Claim
1. A method for stimulating multiple deglutition responses in a user, the method comprising:
- providing a portable system born by a user for controlling a component of a complete swallowing act without substantial aspiration, the system comprising a controller, a signal generator, and an electrode array including at least one electrode;
subcutaneously positioning the electrode array in stimulating communication with at least one deglutition muscle; and
artificially stimulating a single deglutition muscle to cause the component of the complete swallowing act to occur;
wherein the single deglutition muscle is the only deglutition muscle directly artificially stimulated via the electrode array during the complete swallowing act.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Artificially stimulated deglutition methods and systems including providing a portable system born by a user for controlling a component of a complete swallowing act without substantial aspiration. The system includes a controller, a signal generator, and a subcutaneously positioned electrode array with at least one electrode. The electrode array is subcutaneously positioned and is operated to stimulate a single deglutition muscle where the single deglutition muscle is the only deglutition muscle directly artificially stimulated via the electrode array during the complete swallowing act. Systems and methods of nerve stimulation and selective nerve stimulation are also provided to artificially stimulate deglutition.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for stimulating multiple deglutition responses in a user, the method comprising:
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providing a portable system born by a user for controlling a component of a complete swallowing act without substantial aspiration, the system comprising a controller, a signal generator, and an electrode array including at least one electrode; subcutaneously positioning the electrode array in stimulating communication with at least one deglutition muscle; and artificially stimulating a single deglutition muscle to cause the component of the complete swallowing act to occur; wherein the single deglutition muscle is the only deglutition muscle directly artificially stimulated via the electrode array during the complete swallowing act. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for assisting user deglutition by only stimulating a single deglutition muscle, the system comprising:
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an electrode array adapted to be subcutaneously implanted to stimulate the single deglutition muscle; a signal generator adapted to communicate with the electrode array to stimulate the single deglutition muscle; and a controller for operating the signal generator, wherein the controller is adapted to operate the signal generator to only directly stimulate the single deglutition muscle with the electrode array.
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10. A method of controlling deglutition of a user without substantial aspiration comprising:
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subcutaneously positioning a first electrode array at a first location along a first nerve, wherein the electrode array comprises at least one electrode, and further wherein the first nerve is associated with a first deglutition muscle such that stimulation of the first nerve causes movement of the first deglutition muscle; and selectively stimulating the first nerve with the first electrode array to artificially activate the first deglutition muscle. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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15. The method of clam 10, wherein the electrode array comprises a plurality of radially positioned contacts disposed about the first nerve at the first location, and further wherein stimulating the first fascicle comprises providing subthreshold current through the electrode array for steering a stimulation signal delivered to the first fascicle.
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20. A system for assisting user deglutition comprising:
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an electrode array adapted to be subcutaneously implanted to stimulate a first nerve, the first nerve causing activation of a first deglutition muscle, the electrode array including at least one electrode; a signal generator adapted to communicate with the electrode array to stimulate the first nerve; and a controller for operating the signal generator, wherein the controller is adapted to operate the signal generator to stimulate the first nerve with the electrode array to cause activation of the first deglutition muscle. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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Specification