Device and method for treating obstructive sleep apnea
First Claim
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1. A method of treating an obstructive airway disorder in a patient who has been diagnosed with an obstructive airway disorder comprising the step of:
- monitoring an indication of respiratory activity from tissue internally within the patient via at least one electrode;
detecting via a processor for a characteristic indicative of an obstructive respiratory event from the respiratory activity; and
,upon detection of the characteristic providing electrical stimulation to the diaphragm or phrenic nerve tissue at least to an end of exhalation where a waveform of the stimulating signal for controlling exhalation is adjusted in response to the sensed parameter whereby a supplemental lung volume is preserved to thereby mitigate an obstructive disorder.
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Abstract
A device and method are provided for treating obstructive respiratory events by electrically stimulating tissue associated with the phrenic nerve or diaphragm to elicit a respiratory response.
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Citations
45 Claims
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1. A method of treating an obstructive airway disorder in a patient who has been diagnosed with an obstructive airway disorder comprising the step of:
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monitoring an indication of respiratory activity from tissue internally within the patient via at least one electrode; detecting via a processor for a characteristic indicative of an obstructive respiratory event from the respiratory activity; and
,upon detection of the characteristic providing electrical stimulation to the diaphragm or phrenic nerve tissue at least to an end of exhalation where a waveform of the stimulating signal for controlling exhalation is adjusted in response to the sensed parameter whereby a supplemental lung volume is preserved to thereby mitigate an obstructive disorder. - 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)
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32. An obstructive airway disorder treatment device comprising:
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an electrical stimulator configured to provide an electrically stimulating signal to diaphragm or phrenic nerve tissue associated with respiration, to elicit a diaphragm response; a sensor configured to sense at least one respiration parameter in electrical communication with the electrical stimulator; a processor configured to communicate with the sensor and programmed to coordinate the electrically stimulating signal with the at least one sensed respiration parameter during natural intrinsic respiration by and further programmed to detect for a characteristic indicative of an obstructive respiratory event from the sensed respiration, and, wherein the processor is also programmed to actuate the electrical stimulator to provide the electrically stimulating signal to the tissue at least to an end of exhalation where a waveform of the stimulating signal for controlling exhalation is adjusted in response to the sensed parameter whereby a supplemental lung volume is preserved. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. An obstructive airway disorder treatment device comprising:
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an electrical stimulator configured to provide an electrically stimulating signal to diaphragm or phrenic nerve tissue associated with respiration, to elicit a diaphragm response; a sensor configured to sense at least one respiration parameter in electrical communication with the electrical stimulator; a processor configured to communicate with the sensor and programmed to coordinate the electrically stimulating signal with the at least one sensed respiration parameter during natural intrinsic respiration by a and further programmed to detect for a characteristic indicative of an obstructive respiratory event from the sensed respiration, and, wherein the processor is also programmed to actuate the electrical stimulator to provide the electrically stimulating signal to the tissue at least to an end of exhalation where a waveform of the stimulating signal for controlling exhalation is adjusted in response to the sensed parameter whereby a supplemental lung volume is preserved.
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39. An obstructive airway disorder treatment device comprising:
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an obstructive respiratory disorder detector configured to detect at least one respiration parameter associated with an airway obstruction; a processor configured to communicate with the detector and is programmed to coordinate an electrical stimulation with the at least one respiration parameter; an electrical stimulator actuated by the processor and configured to be programmed to stimulate diaphragm or phrenic nerve tissue associated with respiration to elicit a diaphragm response at least to an end of exhalation where a waveform of the stimulating signal for controlling exhalation is adjusted in response to the sensed parameter whereby a supplemental lung volume is preserved, wherein the electrical stimulator is further configured to be programmed with a stimulation protocol; and a responsive element configured to respond to detection of the at least one respiration parameter, with electrical stimulation according to the protocol. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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45. An obstructive airway disorder treatment device comprising:
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an electrical stimulator configured to provide an electrically stimulating signal to diaphragm or phrenic nerve tissue associated with respiration, to elicit a diaphragm response to preserve a supplemental lung volume at least to an end of exhalation; a sensor configured to sense at least one respiration parameter in electrical communication with the electrical stimulator; a processor configured to communicate with the sensor and programmed to coordinate the electrically stimulating signal with the at least one sensed respiration parameter during natural intrinsic respiration by a and further programmed to detect for a characteristic indicative of an obstructive respiratory event from the sensed respiration, and; wherein the processor is also programmed to actuate the electrical stimulator to provide the electrically stimulating signal to the tissue at least to an end of exhalation where a waveform of the stimulating signal for controlling exhalation is adjusted in response to the sensed parameter whereby a central respiratory drive is entrained.
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Specification