Device and method for snoring detection and control

• US 9,849,289 B2
• Filed: 06/17/2014
• Issued: 12/26/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nyxoah SA
• Original Assignee: Nyxoah SA
• Inventors: Mashiach, Adi, Mueller, Carsten
• Primary Examiner(s): CAREY, MICHAEL JAMES
• Application Number:
  US14/306,916
• Publication Number:
  US 20140358189A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,288 Days
• Field of Search: 607 42, 607 60, 607 61, 607 65, 607134, 607152
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0219 of externally powered implanted units
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/164 the sensor is mounted in or on a conformable substrate or carrier
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/08 Detecting, measuring or recording devices for evaluating the respiratory organs A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/11 Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb for measuring pulse A61B5/02 ;A61B5/1038 takes precedence; motion detection to correct for motion artifacts in physiological signals A61B5/721
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/113 occurring during breathing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/389 Electromyography [EMG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4519 Muscles A61B5/389, A61B5/224 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4818 Sleep apnoea
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/682 Mouth, e.g., oral cavity; tongue; Lips; Teeth
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6822 Neck
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6833 Adhesive patches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6876 Blood vessel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/566 Intra-oral devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0514 Electrodes for the urinary tract
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0526 Head electrodes A61N1/0551 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0553 Paddle shaped electrodes, e.g. for laminotomy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36003 of motor muscles, e.g. for walking assistance
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3601 of respiratory organs
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36057 adapted for stimulating afferent nerves
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3606 : adapted for a particular treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36075 : Headache or migraine
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3611 : Respiration control stimulating respiratory organs A61N1/3601
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36117 : for treating hypertension
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36135 : using physiological parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36139 : with automatic adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36146 : specified by the stimulation parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37223 : Circuits for electromagnetic coupling
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37229 : Shape or location of the implanted or external antenna
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3756 : Casings with electrodes thereon, e.g. leadless stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 : from an external energy source
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/006 : for magnetic stimulation of nerve tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/02 : using magnetic fields produced by coils, including single turn loops or electromagnets A61N2/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 999/00 : dummy group
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 999/99 : dummy group

Abstract

A device for the treatment of snoring is provided. The device may include a flexible substrate configured for removable attachment to a subject'"'"'s skin, a primary antenna disposed on the flexible substrate, an interface configured to receive a feedback signal that varies based upon a breathing pattern of the subject; and at least one processing device. The processing device may be configured to analyze the feedback signal and determine whether the subject is snoring based on the analysis of the feedback signal, and if snoring is detected, cause a hypoglossal nerve modulation control signal to be applied to the primary antenna in order to wirelessly transmit the hypoglossal nerve modulation control signal to a secondary antenna associated with an implant unit configured for location in a body of the subject.

Claims

1. A device, comprising:

a flexible substrate configured for removable attachment to a subject'"'"'s skin;

a primary antenna disposed on the flexible substrate;

an interface configured to receive a feedback signal that varies based upon a breathing pattern of the subject; and

at least one processing device configured to;

analyze the feedback signal and determine whether the subject is snoring based on the analysis of the feedback signal; and

if snoring is detected, cause a hypoglossal nerve modulation control signal to be applied to the primary antenna in order to wirelessly transmit the hypoglossal nerve modulation control signal to a secondary antenna associated with an implant unit configured for location in a body of the subject.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the interface is configured to receive from the primary antenna a feedback signal that varies based upon a degree of coupling with the secondary antenna.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the degree of coupling is indicative of tongue movement, tongue movement including at least one of tongue velocity, tongue displacement, and tongue vibration.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the processing device is configured to compare the feedback signal to a predetermined snoring signal to detect snoring.

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising a snoring sensor configured to provide the feedback signal.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the snoring sensor includes at least one of an audio sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, a thermistor, electromyography electrodes, and an accelerometer.

7. The device of claim 2, wherein the processing device is further configured to detect a tongue movement pattern based on the degree of coupling and to compare the detected tongue movement pattern to a predetermined tongue movement pattern in order to make a snoring determination.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the predetermined tongue movement pattern is specific to a particular user.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the detection of snoring is determined by a level of breathing effort.

10. A device, comprising:

a flexible substrate configured for removable attachment to a subject'"'"'s skin;

a primary antenna disposed on the flexible substrate;

an interface configured to receive a feedback signal that varies based on movements of the subjects tongue associated with a breathing pattern of the subject causing changes in a degree of coupling between an implanted secondary antenna and the primary antenna; and

at least one processing device configured to;

analyze the feedback signal and determine whether the subject is snoring based on the analysis of the feedback signal; and

if snoring is detected, cause a hypoglossal nerve modulation control signal to be applied to the primary antenna in order to wirelessly transmit the hypoglossal nerve modulation control signal to the secondary antenna associated with an implant unit configured for location in a body of the subject.