Method for controlling energy delivery as a function of degree of coupling

• US 9,409,013 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2013
• Issued: 08/09/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nyxoah SA
• Original Assignee: Nyxoah SA
• Inventors: Mashiach, Adi, Scholz, Oliver
• Primary Examiner(s): Stigell, Theodore
• Assistant Examiner(s): CAREY, MICHAEL JAMES
• Application Number:
  US14/041,598
• Publication Number:
  US 20140039579A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,044 Days
• Field of Search: 607/61, 607/134, 607/62
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 5/11 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 5/4519 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 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• 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 1/3614 : based on impedance measurement
• 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

Abstract

A method for delivering energy as a function of degree coupling may utilize an external unit configured for location external to a body of a subject and at least one processor associated with the implant unit and configured for electrical communication with a power source. The method may determine a degree of coupling between the primary antenna and a secondary antenna associated with the implant unit, and regulate delivery of power to the implant unit based on the degree of coupling between the primary antenna and the secondary antenna.

Claims

1. A method for regulating delivery of power to a sleep disordered breathing treatment implant unit, the method comprising:

communicating with the implant unit, which is implanted in a body of a subject in a location proximate a hypoglossal nerve;

determining a degree of coupling between a primary antenna associated with a power source and a secondary antenna associated with the implant unit based on relative movement between the primary antenna and the secondary antenna, wherein the power source and the primary antenna are provided in association with a skin patch configured for temporary affixation on at least one of a neck and a head of the subject; and

regulating delivery of power from the power source to the implant unit based on the degree of coupling between the primary antenna and the secondary antenna when the skin patch is affixed to skin of the subject;

wherein the power delivered from the power source to the implant unit is selected to cause at least one pair of electrodes associated with the implant unit to modulate the hypoglossal nerve, and wherein the electrodes are spaced apart from one another along a longitudinal direction of the hypoglossal nerve.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein an upper limit of the power delivered from the power source to the implant unit is determined according to an upper threshold associated with the implant unit.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein a lower limit of the power delivered from the power source to the implant unit is determined according to an efficacy threshold of the power delivered.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the power is delivered from the power source to the implant unit via radiofrequency transmission of an alternating current signal.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving physiologic data via the implant unit; and

regulating delivery of power from the power source to the implant unit based on the physiologic data and the degree of coupling.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein regulating delivery of power from the power source to the implant unit includes adjusting at least one of voltage, pulse rate, and current associated with the alternating current signal.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the degree of coupling between the primary antenna and the secondary antenna includes a measure of capacitive coupling.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the degree of coupling between the primary antenna and the secondary antenna includes a measure of radiofrequency coupling.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the degree of coupling between the primary antenna and the secondary antenna includes a measure of inductive coupling.

10. The method of claim 5, wherein the physiologic data is representative of a motion of the implant unit.