Treatments for snoring using injectable neuromuscular stimulators
First Claim
1. A method of treating snoring comprising:
- a) inserting an imaging device into the airway passage of a patient;
b) monitoring, with the imaging device, the airway passage during sleep to identify at least one anatomical structure in the airway passage that vibrates during snoring;
c) introducing, with an injection tool, at least one microstimulator in the proximity of the at least one anatomical structure identified in step b), wherein the injection tool penetrates tissue in the proximity of the identified anatomical structure;
d) energizing the microstimulator to deliver a test electrical stimulation to the anatomical structure to cause at least one muscle to contract and reduce the vibration of the anatomical structure, wherein the microstimulator is energized while held within the lumen of the injection tool;
e) observing, with the imaging device, whether the test stimulation causes a decrease in vibration of the anatomical structure; and
f) releasing, if a decrease in vibration of the anatomical structure is observed, the microstimulator from the injection device into the anatomical structure.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Many individuals generate excessively loud snoring during their sleep, often to the point where others cannot tolerate sleeping in the same room with them. Most cases of snoring are caused by excessive bulk and flaccidity of soft tissues of the palate and uvula that vibrate as air flows past them. These palate and uvula contain muscles whose contractions can stiffen and displace the soft tissues so that they do not vibrate. The invention provides electrical stimulation that causes the oropharyngeal muscles to contract during sleep using one or more microstimulators injected into or near these muscles or the nerves which innervate them. The invention also provides methods of determining the anatomical structures implicated in snoring and testing such locations for effective placement and stimulation of muscle contraction to decrease the frequency or magnitude of snoring.
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Citations
47 Claims
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1. A method of treating snoring comprising:
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a) inserting an imaging device into the airway passage of a patient; b) monitoring, with the imaging device, the airway passage during sleep to identify at least one anatomical structure in the airway passage that vibrates during snoring; c) introducing, with an injection tool, at least one microstimulator in the proximity of the at least one anatomical structure identified in step b), wherein the injection tool penetrates tissue in the proximity of the identified anatomical structure; d) energizing the microstimulator to deliver a test electrical stimulation to the anatomical structure to cause at least one muscle to contract and reduce the vibration of the anatomical structure, wherein the microstimulator is energized while held within the lumen of the injection tool; e) observing, with the imaging device, whether the test stimulation causes a decrease in vibration of the anatomical structure; and f) releasing, if a decrease in vibration of the anatomical structure is observed, the microstimulator from the injection device into the anatomical structure. - 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, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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46. The method of implanting a microstimulator into the genioglossus muscle comprising:
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a) inserting an imaging device into the airway passage of a patient; b) introducing an injection tool carrying at least one microstimulator through the epidermis under the mandible; c) passing the distal tip of the injection tool through the geniohyoid muscle; d) advancing the distal tip of the injection tool into the genioglossus muscle; e) energizing the microstimulator to electrically stimulate the genioglossus muscle; f) observing, with the imaging device, whether the stimulation causes a decrease in vibration of tissue in the airway passage; g) depositing, if a decrease in vibration of the tissue is observed, the microstimulator in the genioglossus muscle; and h) removing the insertion tool from the body. - View Dependent Claims (47)
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Specification