System and method for electrical stimulation of salivation

• US 7,477,947 B2
• Filed: 01/30/2002
• Issued: 01/13/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Saliwizer Itd.
• Original Assignee: Saliwizer Itd.
• Inventors: Pines, Erella, Fenster, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Bockelman; Mark W
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bertram; Eric D
• Application Number:
  US10/500,013
• Publication Number:
  US 20050090864A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,540 Days
• Field of Search: 607/134, 607/2, 607/116, 607/72, 607/62, 600/554
• US Class Current: 607/134
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0548 Oral electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/08 Arrangements or circuits for monitoring, protecting, controlling or indicating for external stimulators A61N1/3603; for implantable neurostimulators A61N1/36128; for heart stimulators A61N1/37; for defibrillators A61N1/3925
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/326 for promoting growth of cells, e.g. bone cells

Abstract

A system, a device and a method for electrically detecting a lack of saliva in an oral cavity of an individual and for electrically stimulating the oral cavity so as to induce production of saliva from at least one salivary gland are disclosed. The system includes a control device for detecting a measure of salivation in the individual and for delivering electrical impulses to the oral cavity of the individual, a check device for checking a state of the control device and for modifying at least one parameter of the control device, and, a computer device for exchanging information with the check device.

Claims

1. A system for electrically detecting a lack of saliva in an oral cavity of an individual and for electrically stimulating the oral cavity, so as to induce production of saliva from at least one salivary gland, said system comprising:

a control device for detecting a measure of salivation in the individual and for delivering electrical impulses to the oral cavity of the individual, said control device having at least one pair of electrodes provide a contact with a tissue of the oral cavity;

a check device for obtaining the data of said measure of salivation and for modifying at least one parameter of said control device, and

a computer device for exchanging information with said check device;

wherein said measure of salivation is a relaxation time, said relaxation time being a measure of time required for a voltage difference between said at least one pair of electrodes to reach a predetermined level of an initial value of said voltage difference after a measuring pulse is applied.

2. The system as in claim 1, wherein said predetermined level is selected from the group consisting of 40% and 50%.

3. A device for electrically detecting a measure of saliva in an oral cavity of an individual and for delivering electrical impulses to the oral cavity of the individual so as to induce production of saliva from at least one salivary gland, said device comprising:

a hermetically sealed housing fixable within the oral cavity;

an electrical utility enclosed within said housing for detecting an input signal for detection of the measure of salivation and for generating the electrical impulses, said electrical utility including a power source and a signal generator, and

at least one pair of electrodes electrically coupled to said electrical utility, wherein said at least one pair of electrodes provide a contact with a tissue of the oral cavity;

wherein said measure of salivation is a relaxation time, said relaxation time being a measure of time required for a voltage difference between said at least one pair of electrodes to reach a predetermined level of an initial value of said voltage difference after a measuring pulse is applied.

4. The device as in claim 3, wherein said predetermined level is selected from the group consisting of 40% and 50%.

5. A method for electrical stimulation of salivation comprising the steps of:

attaching a device for electrically detecting a measure of saliva in an oral cavity of an individual and for delivering electrical impulses to said oral cavity of said individual so as to induce production of saliva from at least one salivary gland, said device having at least one pair of electrodes, said electrodes being placed against a tissue of said oral cavity;

detecting an input signal indicative of said measure of moisture within said oral cavity;

comparing said measure to a moisture limit value, and

delivering said electrical impulses based on a result of said comparing;

wherein said measure of salivation is a relaxation time, said relaxation time being a measure of time required for a voltage difference between said at least one pair of electrodes to reach a predetermined level of an initial value of said voltage difference after a measuring pulse is applied.