Device and method for stimulating salivation
First Claim
1. An implantable device for inducing salivation by neural stimulation at neurally sensitive locations within an oral or perioral tissue of a user, comprising a housing adapted to be permanently implanted within the oral or perioral tissue, said housing having an enclosure therein, an electrical signal generator disposed in said enclosure, said signal generator including a power source, at least one electrode operatively associated with said housing and electrically coupled to said signal generator, said electrode being so positioned with respect to said housing so as to form an electrical contact with the oral or perioral tissue and in operative contact with a neurally sensitive location of the oral or perioral tissue, the stimulation of which by electrical energy can induce salivation when said housing is operatively disposed, whereby said electrode applies a signal generated by said signal generator to the sensitive location of the oral or perioral tissue to induce salivation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An implantable device for inducing salivation by neural stimulation at neurally sensitive location within an oral or perioral tissue of a user. The device includes a housing adapted to be permanently implanted within the oral or perioral tissue. The housing has an enclosure therein for engaging an electrical signal generator. The signal generator includes a power source and at least one electrode operatively associated with the housing and electrically coupled to the signal generator. The electrode is so positioned with respect to the housing so as to form an electrical contact with the oral or perioral tissue and in operative contact with a neurally sensitive location of the oral or perioral tissue, the stimulation of which by electrical energy can induce salivation when the housing is operatively disposed, whereby the electrode applies a signal generated by the signal generator to the sensitive location of the oral or perioral tissue to induce salivation.
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Citations
13 Claims
- 1. An implantable device for inducing salivation by neural stimulation at neurally sensitive locations within an oral or perioral tissue of a user, comprising a housing adapted to be permanently implanted within the oral or perioral tissue, said housing having an enclosure therein, an electrical signal generator disposed in said enclosure, said signal generator including a power source, at least one electrode operatively associated with said housing and electrically coupled to said signal generator, said electrode being so positioned with respect to said housing so as to form an electrical contact with the oral or perioral tissue and in operative contact with a neurally sensitive location of the oral or perioral tissue, the stimulation of which by electrical energy can induce salivation when said housing is operatively disposed, whereby said electrode applies a signal generated by said signal generator to the sensitive location of the oral or perioral tissue to induce salivation.
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10. A method for stimulating salivation, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) forming at least one cavity in an oral or perioral tissue;
(b) providing at least one implantable device for inducing salivation, including a housing adapted to be permanently implanted within said cavity, said housing having an enclosure therein, an electrical signal generator disposed in said enclosure, said signal generator including a power source, at least one electrode operatively associated with said housing and electrically coupled to said signal generator, said electrode being so positioned with respect to said housing so as to form an electrical contact with the oral or perioral tissue and in operative contact with a neurally sensitive locations of the oral or perioral tissue, the stimulation of which by electrical energy can induce salivation when said housing is operatively disposed, whereby said electrode applies a signal generated by said signal generator to the sensitive locations of the oral or perioral tissue to induce salivation; and
(c) implanting said at least one implantable device in said at least one cavity. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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Specification