Implantable Obstructive Sleep Apnea Sensor

• US 20090078274A1
• Filed: 09/22/2008
• Published: 03/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Xomed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Pavad Medical, Inc.
• Inventors: Yung, Charisse M., Choi, George Y., Hegde, Anant V., Bhat, Nikhil D.
• Granted Patent: US 8,813,753 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/848
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/076 Permanent implantations telemetry using implanted circuitry A61B5/0031; implanted stimulators for therapy A61N1/3605, A61N1/362, A61N1/372
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1076 for measuring dimensions inside body cavities, e.g. using catheters A61B3/1005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4818 Sleep apnoea
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/682 Mouth, e.g., oral cavity; tongue; Lips; Teeth
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/02 Prostheses implantable into the body closure means for urethra or rectum or for artificial body openings therefor A61F2/0004
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/566 Intra-oral devices

Abstract

Systems and methods for detecting an obstructive sleep apnea event are disclosed herein. The systems and methods may use an electrical output generating ionic polymer metal composite sensor attached to a region in an airway passage in an oral cavity. The electrical output may be wirelessly transmitted as a signal for indication of an obstructive sleep apnea event. The signal may be further analyzed for treatment of the obstructive sleep apnea event.

Claims

1. A system to sense obstructive sleep apnea, comprising:

an ionic polymer metal composite (IPMC) sensor attached to a region in an airway passage in an oral cavity which generates an electrical output when a change in shape of the airway passage in the oral cavity occurs; and

a transmitter device electrically coupled to the IPMC sensor and configured to transmit at least one electronic signal.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the IPMC sensor includes an electro active polymer material.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the IPMC sensor is configured as an elongated strip.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the IPMC sensor is placed on the soft palate.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the IPMC sensor is placed on the soft palate using an adhesive.

6. The system of claim 3 wherein the IPMC sensor is implanted into the soft palate.

7. The system of claim 3 wherein the IPMC sensor includes one more elongated strip which generates a second electronic output.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein one elongated strip is placed about the soft palate and the other is placed about the side palate or pharyngeal walls.

9. The system of claim 7 wherein the elongated strips are integral to the transmitter device.

10. The system of claim 1 additionally comprising:

a wireless receiver for receiving the at least one electronic signal; and

control device electronically coupled to the wireless receiver for recording the electronic signal.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the control device additionally performs an analysis of the electronic signal.

12. The system of claim 10 additionally comprising a therapy device operatively coupled with a region in the airway passage in the oral cavity which is at least partially controlled by the control device.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the transmitter device includes translation circuitry which translates the electrical output into the at least one electronic signal.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the at least one electronic signal is a digital signal.

15. The system of claim 13 wherein the at least one electronic signal is an amplified analog signal.

16. The system of claim 1 wherein the transmitter device includes a wireless transmitter for wirelessly transmitting the at least one electronic signal.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the wireless transmitter is configured to transmit under the Bluetooth wireless protocol.

18. The system of claim 1 wherein the transmitter device includes a battery.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein at least a portion of the transmitter device is detachable from the IPMC sensor for recharging the battery.

20. The system of claim 1 wherein the IPMC sensor outputs the electrical output in absence of a power source.

21. A method for sensing obstructive sleep apnea, comprising:

generating an electrical output from an ionic polymer metal composite (IPMC) sensor attached to a region in an airway passage in an oral cavity and;

transmitting a signal which is based on the generated electrical output from the IPMC.

22. The method of claim 21 additionally comprising translating the generated electrical output into the signal.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the signal is digital.

24. The method of claim 22 wherein the signal is analog.

25. The method of claim 21 additionally comprising analyzing the transmitted signal.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein analyzing includes creating a predictive algorithm based on the transmitted signal.

27. The method of claim 26 additionally comprising sending a control signal to a obstructive sleep apnea treatment device based on the analyzed transmitted signal.