System for stimulating a hypoglossal nerve for controlling the position of a patient's tongue

Abstract

A system for controlling a position of a patient's tongue includes attaching at least one electrode to the patient's Hypoglossal nerve and applying an electric signal through the electrode to at least one targeted motor efferent located within the Hypoglossal nerve to stimulate at least one muscle of the tongue. The system may also include the use of more than one contact to target more than one motor efferent and stimulating more than one muscle. The stimulation load to maintain the position of the tongue may be shared by each muscle. The position of the patient's tongue may be controlled in order to prevent obstructive sleep apnea.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 259,893 filed Nov. 10, 2009 entitled “System For Stimulating A Hypoglossal Nerve For Controlling The Position Of A Patient's Tongue”, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention generally relates to a system for stimulating a Hypoglossal nerve for controlling the position of a patient's tongue. In one embodiment, the Hypoglossal nerve is stimulated to prevent obstructive sleep apnea.[0003]Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep. Those affected by sleep apnea stop breathing during sleep numerous times during the night. There are two types of sleep apnea, generally described in medical literature as central and obstructive sleep apnea. Central sleep apnea is a failure of the nervous system to produce proper signals for excitation of the muscles involv...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

The human airway (at the level of the thorax) is lined by soft tissue, any collapse of its walls results in the closure of the airway which leads to insufficient oxygen intake, thereby interrupting one's sleep (episodes or micro-arousals).

In this relaxed state, the tongue may lack sufficient muscle tone to prevent the tongue from changing its normal tonic shape and position.

Blockage of the upper airway prevents air from flowing into the lungs, creating a decrease in blood oxygen level, which in turn increases blood pressure and heart dilation.

OSA is a potentially life-threatening disease that often goes undiagnosed in most patients affected by sleep apnea.

In many of these instances, patient acceptance and therapy compliance is well below desired levels, rendering the current solutions ineffective as a long-term solution.

Current treatment options for OSA have not been consistently effective for all patients.

Patient compliance is poor due to discomfort and side effects such as sneezing, nasal discharge, dryness, skin irritation, claustrophobia, and panic attacks.

Alternate treatments are even more invasive and drastic, including uvulopalatopharyngoplasty and tracheostomy.

However, surgical or mechanical methods tend to be invasive or uncomfortable, are not always effective, and many are not tolerated by the patient.

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