METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OPTIMIZING VAGAL NERVE STIMULATION USING LARYNGEAL ACTIVITY
First Claim
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1. A neural stimulation system for applying neural stimulation through a lead to a body having a neck, a larynx, and a vagus nerve, the system comprising:
- an activity sensor configured to sense a signal indicative of laryngeal activity;
a neural stimulation circuit configured to deliver neural stimulation pulses to the vagus nerve; and
a neural stimulation analyzer communicatively coupled to the activity sensor and the neural stimulation circuit, the neural stimulation analyzer including a stimulation threshold analyzer configured to measure a stimulation threshold using the signal indicative of laryngeal activity, the stimulation threshold being a minimum stimulation intensity required for the neural stimulation pulses to elicit a neural response in the vagus nerve.
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Abstract
A neural stimulation system delivers neural stimulation to the vagus nerve and senses a signal indicative of laryngeal activity resulting from the neural stimulation. The signal indicative of laryngeal activity is used, for example, to guide electrode placement, determine stimulation threshold, detect lead/electrode problems, detect neural injury, and monitor healing processing following the electrode placement inside the body of a patient.
20 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A neural stimulation system for applying neural stimulation through a lead to a body having a neck, a larynx, and a vagus nerve, the system comprising:
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an activity sensor configured to sense a signal indicative of laryngeal activity; a neural stimulation circuit configured to deliver neural stimulation pulses to the vagus nerve; and a neural stimulation analyzer communicatively coupled to the activity sensor and the neural stimulation circuit, the neural stimulation analyzer including a stimulation threshold analyzer configured to measure a stimulation threshold using the signal indicative of laryngeal activity, the stimulation threshold being a minimum stimulation intensity required for the neural stimulation pulses to elicit a neural response in the vagus nerve. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for applying neural stimulation through a lead to a body having a neck, a larynx, and a vagus nerve, the method comprising:
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sensing a signal indicative of laryngeal activity; delivering neural stimulation pulses through the lead to the vagus nerve; and determining a stimulation threshold using the signal indicative of laryngeal activity, the stimulation threshold being a minimum stimulation intensity required for the neural stimulation pulses to elicit a neural response in the vagus nerve, the determining performed automatically by a processing circuit. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification