CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A TONGUE STABILIZATION DEVICE
First Claim
1. A tongue implant device, comprising:
- a flexible portion for attachment to the tongue, the flexible portion having three-dimensional flexibility in a first state and lesser three-dimensional flexibility in a second state;
a first actuator coupled to the flexible portion and configured to change the state of the flexible portion in response to a first control signal;
a transducer configured to wirelessly receive a power transfer signal and to provide a supply voltage to the implant device; and
a processor coupled to the transducer and the first actuator, the processor being operative in response to the supply voltage and configured to generate the first control signal based on the power transfer signal.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A tongue implant control system and methods for stabilizing the tongue are disclosed. The tongue implant control system includes an implant device and a non-implanted control device in wireless communication. The control device provides an inductive power transfer for operating the implant device. The control device also sends commands for changing a state of the implant device. The implant device includes a flexible portion for attachment to the tongue and to one or more actuators. The one or more actuators may include shape memory material. The implant device detects a command from the control device and powers an actuator based on the command. Optionally, the implant device communicates its operating state to the control device and the control device displays information about the implant device at a user interface.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A tongue implant device, comprising:
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a flexible portion for attachment to the tongue, the flexible portion having three-dimensional flexibility in a first state and lesser three-dimensional flexibility in a second state; a first actuator coupled to the flexible portion and configured to change the state of the flexible portion in response to a first control signal; a transducer configured to wirelessly receive a power transfer signal and to provide a supply voltage to the implant device; and a processor coupled to the transducer and the first actuator, the processor being operative in response to the supply voltage and configured to generate the first control signal based on the power transfer signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16)
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15. The device of claim 15 wherein the processor communicates an IDLE message by pulsing the first control signal for a first predetermined time and an ACK message by pulsing the first control signal for a second predetermined time.
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17. A device for controlling a tongue stabilizing implant, comprising:
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a user interface configured to receive a command for controlling the implant; a processor coupled to the user interface and configured to generate a control signal based on the command; a transducer configured to generate an electromagnetic field based on the control signal; and a communication circuit coupled to the processor and the transducer, the communication circuit configured to detect a message from the implant based on a state of the transducer and to communicate the message to the processor. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of stabilizing the tongue, comprising:
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receiving an electromagnetic signal wirelessly at an implant device connected with the tongue; producing a supply voltage from the electromagnetic signal for use by the implant device; detecting an amplitude modulation of the electromagnetic signal; performing a first operation to limit a flexibility of the implant device in response to detecting a first amplitude modulation of the electromagnetic signal associated with a first command; and performing a second operation to restore the flexibility of the implant device in response to detecting a second amplitude modulation of the electromagnetic signal associated with a second command, wherein performing the first and second operations is based upon availability of the supply voltage. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A system for stabilizing the tongue, comprising:
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an implant device comprising; a flexible portion for attachment to the tongue, the flexible portion having three-dimensional flexibility in a first state and lesser three-dimensional flexibility in a second state, a first actuator coupled to the flexible portion and configured to change the state of the flexible portion from the first state to the second state in response to a first control signal, a second actuator coupled to the flexible portion and configured to permit the flexible portion to transition from the second state to the first state in response to a second control signal, a transducer configured to wirelessly receive an electromagnetic signal and to provide a supply voltage to the implant device, and a processor coupled to the transducer for receiving the supply voltage and configured to generate the first or second control signal based upon a modulated amplitude of the electromagnetic signal; and a non-implanted control device, comprising; a transmit circuit configured to generate the electromagnetic signal, and a second processor configured to control operation of the transmit circuit and to determine the amplitude of the electromagnetic signal.
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30. A system for stabilizing the tongue, comprising:
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an implant device comprising; a distal section placed in the base of the tongue of a patient;
proximal section secured to the mandible of the patient and a middle flexible section connecting the distal and proximal section.a first actuator coupled to the flexible portion and configured to change the state of the flexible portion from the first state to the second state in response to a first control signal, a second actuator coupled to the proximal portion and configured to permit the flexible portion to transition from the second state to the first state in response to a second control signal, a transducer configured to wirelessly receive a signal and to provide a supply power to the implant device, and a processor coupled to the transducer for receiving the supply power and configured to generate the first or second control signal; and a non-implanted control device, comprising; a transmit circuit configured to generate the signal, control the power transfer, and a second processor configured to control operation of the transmit circuit.
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Specification