Method of stimulating a Hypoglossal nerve for controlling the position of a patient's tongue
First Claim
1. A method for controlling a position of a patient'"'"'s tongue, the method comprising:
- implanting an electrode having a plurality of contacts, the plurality of contacts being proximate a Hypoglossal nerve;
implanting an implantable pulse generator (IPG), the IPG being electronically coupled to the electrode;
programming the IPG, independent of respiration, to deliver at least two electric signals to the plurality of contacts; and
applying the at least two electric signals via the plurality of contacts to at least two targeted motor efferent groups located within the Hypoglossal nerve to stimulate at least two muscles of the tongue,wherein applying the at least two electric signals includes driving each contact by their own independent current source.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for controlling a position of a patient'"'"'s tongue includes attaching at least one electrode to the patient'"'"'s Hypoglossal nerve and applying an electric signal through the electrode to at least one targeted motor efferent located within the Hypoglossal nerve to stimulate at least one muscle of the tongue. Methods may also include the use of more than one contact to target more than one motor efferent and stimulating more than one muscle. The stimulation load to maintain the position of the tongue may be shared by each muscle. The position of the patient'"'"'s tongue may be controlled in order to prevent obstructive sleep apnea.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method for controlling a position of a patient'"'"'s tongue, the method comprising:
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implanting an electrode having a plurality of contacts, the plurality of contacts being proximate a Hypoglossal nerve; implanting an implantable pulse generator (IPG), the IPG being electronically coupled to the electrode; programming the IPG, independent of respiration, to deliver at least two electric signals to the plurality of contacts; and applying the at least two electric signals via the plurality of contacts to at least two targeted motor efferent groups located within the Hypoglossal nerve to stimulate at least two muscles of the tongue, wherein applying the at least two electric signals includes driving each contact by their own independent current source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification