Method and apparatus for pressure detecting and treating obstructive airway disorders
First Claim
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1. A method for treating upper airway obstruction in a patient by electrical stimulation of muscles of the upper airway by the steps of:
- (a) surgically implanting an implantable pulse generator into the patient;
(b) surgically implanting a pressure sensor in a body structure which has pressure coupling with an intrapleural space of the patient and which is in communication with the pulse generator such that the pressure sensor provides to the pulse generator a signal characteristic of intrathoracic pressure in the patient;
(c) monitoring the pressure signal of the implanted pressure sensor for at least one parameter characteristic of onset of inspiration of the patient;
(d) detecting the onset of inspiration from the monitored parameter; and
(e) applying the electrical stimulation synchronous with the onset of inspiration, the electrical stimulation applied at a level which restores patency in the airway.
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Abstract
A method for treating upper respiratory obstructions in a patient by electrical stimulation of muscles of the upper airway including surgically implanting a pressure sensor into the patient such that the pressure sensor is capable of providing a signal characteristic of intrathoracic pressure in the patient. The implanted pressure sensor allows the inspiratory phase of the patient'"'"'s respiratory cycle to be identified and electrical stimulation to be reliably applied during the inspiration phase.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method for treating upper airway obstruction in a patient by electrical stimulation of muscles of the upper airway by the steps of:
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(a) surgically implanting an implantable pulse generator into the patient; (b) surgically implanting a pressure sensor in a body structure which has pressure coupling with an intrapleural space of the patient and which is in communication with the pulse generator such that the pressure sensor provides to the pulse generator a signal characteristic of intrathoracic pressure in the patient; (c) monitoring the pressure signal of the implanted pressure sensor for at least one parameter characteristic of onset of inspiration of the patient; (d) detecting the onset of inspiration from the monitored parameter; and (e) applying the electrical stimulation synchronous with the onset of inspiration, the electrical stimulation applied at a level which restores patency in the airway. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A medical device for treating upper airway obstruction in a patient by electrical stimulation of muscles of the upper airway comprising:
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(a) an implantable pulse generator; (b) a hermetically sealed, implantable pressure sensor for providing a signal characteristic of intrathoracic pressure in the patient; (c) means associated with said pressure sensor for communicating the intrathoracic pressure signal to the pulse generator; (d) means for monitoring the pressure signal of the implanted pressure sensor for at least one parameter characteristic of the onset of inspiration of the patient; (e) means associated with said monitoring means for detecting the onset of inspiration; and (f) means associated with said detecting means for applying the electrical stimulation synchronous with the onset of inspiration, the electrical stimulation applied at a level which restores patency in the airway. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification