Method and apparatus for impedance detecting and treating obstructive airway disorders
First Claim
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1. A method for treating upper airway obstruction in a patient by electrical stimulation of muscles of the upper airway by the steps of:
- (a) surgically implanting a pulse generator into the patient together with an impedance sensing circuit in a common case with the pulse generator;
(b) surgically implanting a stimulation lead extending from the pulse generator to a nerve which activates at least one of the patient'"'"'s upper airway muscles and at least two impedance measuring electrodes, at least one of said electrodes along said lead, said electrodes in electrical connection with the impedance sensing circuit such that the circuit provides a signal characteristic of thoracic impedance in the patient;
(c) monitoring the impedance signal of the implanted impedance sensing circuit for at least one parameter characteristic of onset of inspiration of the patient;
(d) detecting the onset of inspiration from the monitored parameter; and
(e) applying the electrical stimulation synchronous with the onset of inspiration, the electrical stimulation applied at a level which restores patency in the airway.
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Abstract
A method for treating upper respiratory obstructions in a patient by electrical stimulation of muscles of the upper airway including surgically implanting a impedance sensing circuit into the patient such that the impedance sensor is capable of providing a signal characteristic of transthoracic impedance in the patient. The implanted impedance sensing circuit allows the inspiratory phase of the patient'"'"'s respiratory cycle to be identified and electrical stimulation to be reliably applied during the inspiration phase.
366 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method for treating upper airway obstruction in a patient by electrical stimulation of muscles of the upper airway by the steps of:
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(a) surgically implanting a pulse generator into the patient together with an impedance sensing circuit in a common case with the pulse generator; (b) surgically implanting a stimulation lead extending from the pulse generator to a nerve which activates at least one of the patient'"'"'s upper airway muscles and at least two impedance measuring electrodes, at least one of said electrodes along said lead, said electrodes in electrical connection with the impedance sensing circuit such that the circuit provides a signal characteristic of thoracic impedance in the patient; (c) monitoring the impedance signal of the implanted impedance sensing circuit for at least one parameter characteristic of onset of inspiration of the patient; (d) detecting the onset of inspiration from the monitored parameter; and (e) applying the electrical stimulation synchronous with the onset of inspiration, the electrical stimulation applied at a level which restores patency in the airway. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A medical device for treating upper airway obstruction in a patient by electrical stimulation of muscles of the upper airway comprising:
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(a) an implantable pulse generator; (b) an impedance sensing circuit in a common case with the pulse generator; (c) a stimulation lead adapted to extend from the pulse generator to a nerve which activates at least one of the patient'"'"'s upper airway muscles; (d) at least two impedance measuring electrodes, at least one of said electrodes along said stimulation lead, said electrodes in electrical connection with the impedance sensing circuit such that the sensing circuit provides a signal characteristic of thoracic impedance in the patient; (e) means responsive to said impedance sensing circuit for monitoring the impedance signal of the implanted impedance sensing circuit for at least one parameter characteristic of the onset of inspiration of the patient; (f) means associated with said monitoring means for detecting the onset of inspiration; and (g) means responsive to said detecting means for applying the electrical stimulation synchronous with the onset of inspiration, the electrical stimulation applied at a level which restores patency in the airway. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification