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Implantable microstimulation system for treatment of sleep apnea

  • US 6,240,316 B1
  • Filed: 08/06/1999
  • Issued: 05/29/2001
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/14/1998
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method of treating sleep apnea comprising:

  • implanting at least one microstimulator at a selected tissue site near a muscle or nerve associated with closing and opening an airway passage, the microstimulator including a pair of electrodes, hermetically sealed electrical circuitry connected to the pair of electrodes, and means for generating an electrical stimulus and applying said stimulus to the pair of electrodes, and wherein the microstimulator is housed within a tubular housing having a form factor of 0.4 or less, where form factor is defined as the diameter of the housing over its length, and wherein the diameter of the microstimulator housing is no greater than 4 mm;

    selectively controlling the microstimulator to generate an electrical stimulus; and

    applying the electrical stimulus to the muscle or nerve at the selected tissue site for the purpose of eliciting a muscle contraction that opens the airway passage.

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