Implantable obstructive sleep apnea sensor
First Claim
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1. A method for sensing obstructive sleep apnea in a patient, comprising:
- attaching an ionic polymer metal composite (IPMC) sensor at one of a hard palate and a soft palate of an airway passage in an oral cavity of the patient;
electrically coupling a transmitter device to the IPMC sensor;
placing the transmitter device at a location away from the hard palate and the soft palate;
generating an electrical output from the IPMC sensor when a change in a shape in the oral cavity occurs;
transmitting a signal from the transmitter device which is based on the generated electrical output from the IPMC sensor;
wherein the signal is transmitted by a wireless transmitter component of the transmitter device that is electrically coupled to the IPMC sensor and located away from the hard palate and the soft palate.
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Abstract
Systems and methods for detecting an obstructive sleep apnea event are disclosed herein. The systems and methods may use an electrical output generating ionic polymer metal composite sensor attached to a region in an airway passage in an oral cavity. The electrical output may be wirelessly transmitted as a signal for indication of an obstructive sleep apnea event. The signal may be further analyzed for treatment of the obstructive sleep apnea event.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for sensing obstructive sleep apnea in a patient, comprising:
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attaching an ionic polymer metal composite (IPMC) sensor at one of a hard palate and a soft palate of an airway passage in an oral cavity of the patient; electrically coupling a transmitter device to the IPMC sensor; placing the transmitter device at a location away from the hard palate and the soft palate; generating an electrical output from the IPMC sensor when a change in a shape in the oral cavity occurs; transmitting a signal from the transmitter device which is based on the generated electrical output from the IPMC sensor; wherein the signal is transmitted by a wireless transmitter component of the transmitter device that is electrically coupled to the IPMC sensor and located away from the hard palate and the soft palate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification