Device, System, And Method For Treating Sleep Apnea
First Claim
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1. A method comprising:
- providing a garment, which includes first and second electrodes both coupled to a power source and a controller, configured to locate the first electrode at a user'"'"'s temporomandibular joint area and the second electrode at the user'"'"'s chin area;
wearing the garment to noninvasively locate the first electrode at the user'"'"'s temporomandibular joint area and the second electrode at the user'"'"'s chin area;
supplying a current between the first and second electrodes;
stimulating one or more of the user'"'"'s airway muscles based on supplying the current between the first and second electrodes; and
opening the user'"'"'s airway, based on the stimulus, to limit sleep apnea.
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Abstract
In an embodiment, a mask is used to position electrodes on a user so current traveling between the electrodes can stimulate nerves that control the geometry of the mask user'"'"'s airway (e.g., pharynx, neck, throat, mouth, trachea, and the like). In an embodiment, a collar is used to position electrodes on a user so current travelling between the electrodes can stimulate nerves that control the geometry of the collar user'"'"'s airway. Any of the above current may help treat apnea via direct or indirect stimulation of muscles or nerves.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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providing a garment, which includes first and second electrodes both coupled to a power source and a controller, configured to locate the first electrode at a user'"'"'s temporomandibular joint area and the second electrode at the user'"'"'s chin area; wearing the garment to noninvasively locate the first electrode at the user'"'"'s temporomandibular joint area and the second electrode at the user'"'"'s chin area; supplying a current between the first and second electrodes; stimulating one or more of the user'"'"'s airway muscles based on supplying the current between the first and second electrodes; and opening the user'"'"'s airway, based on the stimulus, to limit sleep apnea. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system comprising:
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first and second electrodes and a controller; and a garment to include the first and second electrodes, a power source, and the controller, the first and second electrodes both to couple to the power source and the controller; wherein the garment, when worn and operated, is configured to;
(a) locate the first electrode at a user'"'"'s temporomandibular joint area and the second electrode at the user'"'"'s chin area, (b) supply a current between the first and second electrodes;
(c) stimulate one or more of the user'"'"'s airway muscles based on supplying the current between the first and second electrodes; and
(d) open the user'"'"'s airway, based on the stimulus, to limit sleep apnea. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method comprising:
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providing a garment, which includes a magnetic inductance source coupled to a power source and a controller, configured to noninvasively locate the magnetic inductance source adjacent a user'"'"'s cervical spine; providing a first sensor to detect cessation of breathing, the first sensor coupled to the controller; wearing the garment to noninvasively locate the magnetic inductance source adjacent the user'"'"'s cervical spine; coupling the first sensor to the user and detecting the cessation of breathing based on the first sensor; producing a magnetic field, via the magnetic inductance source, based on detecting the cessation of breathing; directing the magnetic field towards the anterior exit of the user'"'"'s phrenic nerve; magnetically inducing, via the magnetic field, stimulation of the user'"'"'s phrenic nerve; and stimulating the user'"'"'s diaphragm, based on stimulating the user'"'"'s phrenic nerve, to limit sleep apnea. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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Specification