SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RECOVERY FROM MOTOR CONTROL VIA STIMULATION TO A SUBSTITUTED SITE TO AN AFFECTED AREA
First Claim
1. A device, comprising:
- i) a vibrotactile stimulator for applying at least one stimulus to the outside surface of a subject'"'"'s neck, wherein the vibrotactile stimulator comprises at least;
(a) a vibrational transducer;
(b) a manual stimulation module to manually engage the vibrational transducer;
(c) an automatic stimulation module to automatically engage the vibrational transducer; and
(d) a manual counter and an automatic counter for determining the number of times the manual stimulation module and the automatic stimulation module is engaged;
ii) a connector for attaching the vibrotactile stimulator to an outside surface of the subject'"'"'s neck, wherein the connector comprises an adjustment mechanism for positioning a contact section substantially over the subject'"'"'s larynx; and
iii) a switch control communicatively connected to the vibrotactile stimulator to selectively engage the manual stimulation module and the automatic stimulation module;
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A device and methods for treating a subject with dysphagia or other neurological disease, neurological disorder, neurological injury, neurological impairment or neurodegenerative disease that affects voluntary motor control of the hyoid, pharynx, larynx, or oropharyngeal area is disclosed. A device of the invention generally comprises a vibrotactile stimulator for applying at least one stimulus to the outside surface of a subject'"'"'s neck; a connector for attaching the vibrotactile stimulator to an outside surface of the subject'"'"'s neck, and a switch control communicatively connected to the vibrotactile stimulator to selectively engage a manual stimulation module and/or automatic stimulation module. Stimulation of an outside surface of the throat area of a subject by a device of the invention stimulates a swallowing reflex in the subject.
-
Citations
32 Claims
-
1. A device, comprising:
-
i) a vibrotactile stimulator for applying at least one stimulus to the outside surface of a subject'"'"'s neck, wherein the vibrotactile stimulator comprises at least; (a) a vibrational transducer; (b) a manual stimulation module to manually engage the vibrational transducer; (c) an automatic stimulation module to automatically engage the vibrational transducer; and (d) a manual counter and an automatic counter for determining the number of times the manual stimulation module and the automatic stimulation module is engaged; ii) a connector for attaching the vibrotactile stimulator to an outside surface of the subject'"'"'s neck, wherein the connector comprises an adjustment mechanism for positioning a contact section substantially over the subject'"'"'s larynx; and iii) a switch control communicatively connected to the vibrotactile stimulator to selectively engage the manual stimulation module and the automatic stimulation module; - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
-
Specification