System and method for treating obstructive sleep apnea

• US 9,757,560 B2
• Filed: 11/19/2014
• Issued: 09/12/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cleveland Clinic Foundation
• Original Assignee: Cleveland Clinic Foundation
• Inventors: Papay, Francis A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Isabella, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): BARIA, DINAH N
• Application Number:
  US14/547,400
• Publication Number:
  US 20150142120A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,028 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2803 for mandibular reconstruction temporo-mandibular joints A61F2/3099; bone plates for the jaw A61B17/8071
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/2807 Chin implants
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0452 Specially adapted for transcutaneous muscle stimulation [TMS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0456 Specially adapted for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation [TENS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3601 of respiratory organs
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3611 Respiration control stimulating respiratory organs A61N1/3601
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36135 using physiological parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37223 Circuits for electromagnetic coupling
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source

Abstract

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a system for treating obstructive sleep apnea in a subject. The system can include a power source and a neuromuscular stimulator in electrical communications with the power source. The neuromuscular stimulator can include a controller and at least one electrode. The controller can be configured to receive certain power and stimulation parameters associated with a therapy signal from the power source. The at least one electrode can be configured to deliver the therapy signal to a target tissue associated with control of a posterior base of the tongue of the subject.

Claims

1. A method for treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in a subject comprising:

providing a system that includes a power source and a neuromuscular stimulator in electrical communication with the power source, the neuromuscular stimulator comprising a housing, a controller contained within the housing, an electrical lead connected to the housing, and at least one electrode connected to the lead, the controller being configured to receive certain power and stimulation parameters associated with a therapy signal from the power source;

securing the housing of the neuromuscular stimulator to an anterior mandible of the subject;

drilling at least one hole through the anterior mandible above an inferior edge of the mentum;

inserting the electrical lead through the at least one hole so that the at least one electrode extends through the at least one hole and is in electrical communication with a target tissue associated with direct or indirect control of one or more muscles of an anterior lingual musculature; and

activating the power source so that the therapy signal is delivered to the at least one electrode for a time and in an amount sufficient to open an oropharyngeal airway to a laryngeal introitus.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the securing step further comprises the steps of:

forming a sulcus in the anterior mandible; and

securing the housing in the sulcus so that the at least one electrode is in electrical communication with the target tissue.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the system includes first and second electrical leads, each of which includes at least one electrode connected thereto;

and

wherein the securing step further includes the steps of;

drilling first and second holes through the anterior mandible above the inferior edge of the mentum, the first and second holes being located on either side of a midline of the subject; and

inserting the first and second leads through the first and second holes, respectively, so that the at least one electrode of each of the first and second leads is in electrical communication with the target tissue.