Wireless power-based sleep apnea treatment systems, and associated devices and methods

Abstract

The present technology is generally directed to wireless power-based sleep apnea treatment systems, and associated devices and methods. In some embodiments, a sleep apnea treatment system includes an external device, a first implantable device, and as second implantable device. The first implantable device can include a first or near field power receiving device and the second implantable device can include a second or far field power receiving device. The wearable device can include a first or near field power transmission device configured to transmit a first or near field power signal to the first power receiving device of the first implantable device, and a second or far field power transmission device configured to transmit a second or far field power signal to the second or far power receiving device of the second implantable device.

Description

WIRELESS POWER-BASED SLEEP APNEA TREATMENT SYSTEMS,AND ASSOCIATED DEVICES AND METHODSCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional App. No. 63 / 563,576, filed on March 11, 2024, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.TECHNICAL FIELD(0002] The present technology is directed to wireless power-based sleep apnea treatment systems, and associated devices and methods.BACKGROUND

[0003] Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a medical condition in which a patient's upper airway is occluded (partially or fully) during sleep, causing sleep arousal. Repeated occlusions of the upper airway may cause sleep fragmentation, which in turn may result in sleep deprivation, daytime tiredness, and / or malaise. More serious instances of OSA may increase the patient's risk for stroke, cardiac arrhythmias, high blood pressure, and / or other disorders.

[0004] OSA may be characterized by the tendency for soft tissues of the upper airway to collapse during sleep, thereby occluding the upper airway. OSA is typically caused by the collapse of the patient's soft palate, oropharynx, tongue, epiglottis, or combination thereof, into the upper airway, which in turn may obstruct normal breathing and / or cause arousal from sleep.(0005] Some treatments have been available for OSA including, for example, surgery, constant positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines, and electrically stimulating muscles or related nerves associated with the upper airway to move the tongue (or other upper airway tissue). Surgical techniques have included procedures to remove portions of a patient's tongue and / or soft palate, and other procedures that seek to prevent the tongue from collapsing into the back of the pharynx. These surgical techniques are very invasive. CPAP machines seek to maintain upper airway patency by applying positive air pressure at the patient's nose and mouth. However, these machines are uncomfortable, cumbersome, and may have low compliance rates.

[0006] Some proposed OSA treatments include implanting one or more devices within a patient to provide electrical stimulation that at least partially addresses the OSA. Many such implantable devices include an implanted power source, and implantation frequently requiresinvasive surgical intervention. Other implantable devices are powered from outside the body; however, existing techniques for transmitting power to patients are often bulky and / or uncomfortable, leading to low patient compliance. For example, external power transmission devices that adhere to a patient’s skin with an adhesive can be uncomfortable (e.g., such as irritating the skin and / or pulling on the skin). This is particularly the case for individuals with facial hair. It can also be difficult to repeatably and / or consistently align external power transmission devices with one or more implantable devices.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 A is a side sectional view depicting a patient's upper airway.

[0008] FIG. IB is a partially schematic illustration of representative neural structures and musculature of the patient's lower jaw and neck.

[0009] FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating elements of a system for treating sleep disorders in accordance with embodiments of the present technology.

[0010] FIG. 2B is a block diagram illustrating additional elements of the system of FIG. 2A, in accordance with embodiments of the present technology.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a side view of the patient’s lower jaw and neck with elements of a system positioned in accordance with embodiments of the present technology.

[0012] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a power transmission device configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] The present technology is discussed under the following headings for ease of readability:Heading 1 : “Introduction”Heading 2: “Overall Patient Physiology” (with a focus on FIGS. 1A and IB)Heading 3 : “Representative Wireless Power-Based Sleep Apnea Treatment Systems, and Associated Devices and Methods” (with a focus on FIGS. 2A-4)Heading 4: “Examples”10014] While embodiments of the present technology are described under the selected headings indicated above, other embodiments of the technology can include elements discussed under multiple headings. Accordingly, the fact that an embodiment may be discussed under aparticular heading does not necessarily limit that embodiment to only the elements discussed under that heading.1. Introduction[00151 Electrical stimulation therapy for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) typically includes delivering a modulation signal that modulates nerves and / or muscles, e.g., to cause the tongue and / or other soft tissue to move. The electrical stimulation can accordingly remove an obstruction of the upper airway, and / or prevent the tongue or other soft tissue from collapsing or obstructing the airway. As used herein, the terms “modulate” and “stimulate” are used interchangeably to mean having an effect on, e.g., a nerve and / or a muscle that in turn has an effect on one or more motor functions, e.g., a breathing-related motor function.

[0016] Wireless power-based sleep apnea treatment systems and associated devices and methods configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology can reduce the occurrence and / or severity of a breathing disorder, such as OSA, OSA with complete concentric collapse (“CCC”), central sleep apnea, and / or the like. In some embodiments, a signal delivery device is implanted at least proximate to or in contact with one or more target tissues of the patient’s upper airway, such as one or more nerves that innervate muscle(s) in the patient’s airway and / or oral cavity. The signal delivery device can be implanted in the patient via a minimally invasive percutaneous injection. The signal delivery device can receive power wirelessly from an external device and use that power to generate and / or deliver accurately targeted modulation signals (e.g., electrical signals, stimulation pulses, etc.) to one or more of the target tissues, thereby improving the patient's upper airway patency and / or improving the tone of the tissue of the intraoral cavity to treat sleep apnea. The external device can include one or more mouthpiece portions, collar portions, chinstrap portions, pillow portions, mattress overlay portions, and / or one or more other suitable “wearables.”

[0017] Representative target tissues include nerves such as the hypoglossal nerve and / or the ansa cervicalis nerve, which are located adjacent and / or around the oral cavity or in the neck. Stimulating the hypoglossal nerve can cause the patient’s tongue to move anteriorly / forward and / or prevent the tongue and / or other soft tissues in the airway from collapsing onto the back of the patient’s pharynx and / or into the upper airway. Such movement of potentially obstructive tissue in the upper airway / pharynx is expected to improve the patient’s sleep by mitigating or alleviating the obstruction. Stimulating the ansa cervicalis nerve can induce caudal traction (e.g., of the trachea), cause the hyoid bone to depress, and / or stabilize or stiffen the tongue and / or softtissues of the upper airway. This, in turn, can reduce or prevent tissue collapse and / or other airflow obstructions in the patient’s airway, thereby improving air flow through the upper airway and mitigating or even alleviating the breathing obstruction. Further target tissues can include one or more muscles innervated by the hypoglossal nerve or the ansa cervicalis nerve, the glossopharyngeal nerve, the pharyngeal branches of the glossopharyngeal nerve, the pharyngeal plexus, the C2 or C3 spinal nerve, a lateral part of the epidural space at the Cl, C2, and C3 vertebral bodies, the pharyngeal branches of the glossopharyngeal nerve, and / or other suitable and / or therapeutically effective targets.

[0018] Many embodiments of the technology described below may take the form of or include computer- or machine- or controller-executable instructions, including routines executed by a programmable computer or controller. Those skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that the technology can be practiced on computer / controller systems other than those shown and described below. The technology can be embodied in a special-purpose computer, controller or data processor that is specifically programmed, configured or constructed to perform one or more of the computer-executable instructions described below. Accordingly, the terms “computer” and “controller” as generally used herein refer to any suitable data processor and can include Internet appliances and hand-held devices (including palm-top computers, wearable computers, tablets, cellular or mobile phones, multi-processor systems, processor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network computers, minicomputers and the like). Information handled by these computers can be presented at any suitable display medium, including a liquid crystal display (LCD). In some embodiments, manufacturers or other suitable entities can provide instructions to practitioners for executing the methods disclosed herein. Manufacturers can also program devices of the disclosed systems to carry out at least some of these methods.

[0019] The present technology can also be practiced in distributed environments where tasks or modules are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules or subroutines may be located in local and remote memory storage devices. Aspects of the technology described below may be stored or distributed on any suitable computer-readable media, including one or more ASICs, (e.g., with addressable memory), as well as distributed electronically over networks. Data structures and transmissions of data particular to aspects of the technology are also encompassed within the scope of the embodiments of the technology.2. Overall Patient Physiology

[0020] Representative embodiments described herein include implantable signal delivery devices having electrodes that can be positioned to deliver one or more modulation signals to one or more specific target tissues, e.g., specific nerves, specific positions along a nerve, and / or specific muscles. The target tissues can include one or more portions of the patient's ansa cervicalis nerve, hypoglossal nerve, and / or vagus nerve, as well as those nerves that innervate muscles of the airway (e.g., palatal, oropharyngeal, laryngeal, omohyoid, sternohyoid, sternothyroid, thyrohyoid, nasal, lingual, pharyngeal, infrahyoid, diaphragmatic, and / or intercostal muscles). The target tissue can be identified with respect to any of, or any combination of, intrinsic or extrinsic muscles, associated nerve branches and / or portions thereof, and / or other physiological features. For example, some target tissues can be within the patient’s neck, such as at least proximate to the ansa cervicalis nerve, omohyoid muscle, sternohyoid muscle, sternothyroid muscle, and / or thyrohyoid muscle. Other target tissues can be located superior to the neck and / or within or at least proximate to the patient’s oral cavity, such as at least proximate to the hypoglossal nerve and / or at least proximate to and / or within the genioglossus muscle.[00211 FIG. 1 A is a side section view depicting an upper airway of a patient P relative to a coordinate system in which the x-axis denotes the anterior-posterior directions, the y-axis denotes the superior-inferior and / or cranial-caudal directions, and the z-axis denotes the medial-lateral directions. The patient P has a hard palate HP which overlies the tongue T and forms the roof of the oral cavity OC (e.g., the mouth). The hard palate HP includes bone support BS, and thus does not typically deform during breathing. The soft palate SP, which is made of soft tissue such as membranes, fibrous material, fatty tissue, and muscle tissue, extends rearward (e.g., in a posterior direction) from the hard palate HP toward the back of the pharynx PHR. More specifically, an anterior end AE of the soft palate SP is anchored to a posterior end of the hard palate HP, and a posterior end PE of the soft palate SP is unattached. Because the soft palate SP does not contain bone or hard cartilage, the soft palate SP is flexible and may collapse onto the back of the pharynx PHR and / or flap back and forth (e.g., especially during sleep).

[0022] The pharynx PHR, which passes air from the oral cavity OC and the nasal cavity NC into the trachea TR, is the part of the throat situated inferior to (below) the nasal cavity NC, posterior to (behind) the oral cavity OC, and superior to (above) the esophagus ES. The pharynx PHR is separated from the oral cavity OC by the palatoglossal arch PGA, which runs downward on either side to the base of the tongue T. Although not labeled for simplicity, the pharynx PHRincludes the nasopharynx, the velopharynx, the oropharynx, and the laryngopharynx. The nasopharynx lies between the base of the cranium and the soft palate SP. The velopharynx is the section of the nasopharynx bounded ventrally by the soft palate. The oropharynx lies behind the oral cavity OC and extends from the soft palate SP to the pharyngoepiglottic fold. The oropharynx opens anteriorly into the oral cavity OC. The anterior portion of the oropharynx includes the base of the tongue T. A flap of connective tissue called the epiglottis EP closes over the glottis (not labeled for simplicity) when food is swallowed, to prevent aspiration. The laryngopharynx is the portion of the pharynx that divides anteriorly into the larynx and posteriorly into the esophagus and is bounded by the pharyngoepiglottic fold superiorly and the upper esophageal sphincter inferiorly. Below the tongue T is the lower jaw or mandible M and the geniohyoid muscle GH which, along with the infrahyoid strap muscles, controls the movement of the hyoid bone HB.

[0023] FIG. IB is a partially schematic illustration of representative neural structures and musculature of the patient's lower jaw J and neckN. The neural structures include the hypoglossal nerve HGN and the ansa cervicalis nerve AC. The hypoglossal nerve HGN innervates the genioglossus muscle GG. Specifically, the anterior branches AB of the hypoglossal nerve HGN, located anterior to a medial branch MB of the hypoglossal nerve HGN, innervate the genioglossus muscle GG at a motor point MP. The ansa cervicalis AC, and related branches emanating from the ansa cervicalis AC, enervate the omohyoid muscle OHM, the sternohyoid muscle SHM, and the sternothyroid muscle STM. The omohyoid muscle OHM extends between the hyoid bone HB and the scapula. The sternohyoid muscle SHM extends between the hyoid bone HB and the sternum ST. The sternothyroid muscle STM extends over (e.g., anterior to) the patient’s larynx L and between the sternum ST and the patient's thyroid cartilage TH. FIG. IB also illustrates the patient's mandible M, mylohyoid muscle MLH, and digastric muscle DG (more specifically, the anterior belly of the digastric muscle DG). The muscles described above are at least proximate to, contained within, and / or at least partially define the patient's oral cavity OC and / or neck N. By providing power to and / or activating minimally invasive implantable signal delivery device at least proximate to one or more the foregoing neural structures and / or associated musculature, embodiments of the present technology can direct one or more modulation signals to individual neural structures (e.g., single nerves or portions of nerves associated with specific muscles or movements) and / or the associated musculature to control, reduce, and / or eliminate the effects of OSA and / or other breathing obstructions.3. Representative Wireless Power-Based Sleep Apnea Treatment Systems, and Associated Devices and Methods10024] FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating a sleep apnea treatment system 200 (“system 200”) configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology. The system 200 can include an external device 202 and one or more implantable signal delivery devices 204 (individually identified in FIG. 2A as a first implantable device 204a and a second implantable device 204b). The external device 202 can include at least one first power transmission device 206a, at least one second power transmission device 206b, a controller 208, a power source 210, and one or more sensors 212. The first and second power transmission devices 206a, b can each be operably coupled to and / or otherwise configured to receive power from the power source 210. When powered, the first power transmission device 206a can be configured to transmit a first power signal NFP to the first implantable device 204a and the second power transmission device 206b can be configured to transmit a second power signal FFP to the second implantable device 204b. As described further below, the first power signal NFP can be different than the second power signal FFP. For example, the first power signal NFP can include one or more first frequencies in a first frequency range, the second power signal FFP can include one or more second frequencies in a second frequency range, and the second frequency range and / or one or more of the second frequencies can be greater and / or higher than (e.g., at least 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, 6x, 7x, 8x, 9x, lOx, 20x, 30x, 40x, 50x, and / or combinations thereof greater and / or higher than) the first frequency range and / or one or more of the first frequencies. In some embodiments, the first frequency range includes one or more “near field” frequencies and the second frequency range includes one or more “far field” frequencies, such the first power signal NFP includes a near field power signal (“near field power signal NFP”) and the second power signal includes a far field power signal (“far field power signal FFP”). In some embodiments, the first power signal can include an inductive power signal and the second power signal can include a radiative (e.g., radiofrequency or “RF”) power signal.

[0025] The controller 208 can include one or more processors, memory and / or other non- transitory computer-readable media, and / or other components configured to control the operation of the external device 202, the first implantable device 204a, and / or the second implantable device 204b. The controller 208 can be operably coupled to and / or otherwise configured to obtain data (e.g., data associated with a patient’s sleep apnea and / or obstructed breathing) via the sensors 212. Based at least in part on the data obtained via the sensors 212, the controller 208 can be configured to adjust the operation of one or more other components of the external device 202 (e.g., the firstpower transmission device 206a, the second power transmission device 206b, the power source 210, etc.), the first implantable device 204a, and / or the second implantable device 204b. In at least some embodiments, for example, the controller 208 can include one or more algorithms and / or other machine-readable instructions that, based at least partially on data obtained via one or more of the sensors 212, are configured to (i) initiate power delivery to the first implantable device 204a and / or the second implantable device 204b, (ii) halt power delivery to the first implantable device 204a and / or the second implantable device 204b, and / or (iii) select one or more signal delivery parameters (e.g., frequency, amplitude, pulse width, duty cycle, interpulse spacing, and / or combinations thereof) for a modulation signal to be delivered to the patient via the first implantable device 204a and / or the second implantable device 204b. In a representative embodiment, the controller 208 can include sleep tracking, respiratory diagnostics, and / or therapy modulation algorithms configured to select, adjust, and / or otherwise control one or more of the delivery parameters for the modulation signals based at least partially on data, obtained via one or more of the sensors 212, that is associated with the patient’s sleep state and / or respiratory performance. The obtained data can include data associated with the patient’s sleep state and / or respiratory performance before the delivery of any modulation signals and / or data obtained during and / or after the delivery of one or more modulations signals.10026] The one or more sensors 212 can include a single sensor, an array of sensors, and / or other suitable sensor arrangements configured to collect data associated with a patient. Although illustrated as being part of the external device 202 in FIG. 2A, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that one or more of the sensors 212 can be individual components of the system 200 that are separate from the external device 202, such as a separate external heart rate monitor and / or one or more other separate sensors and / or sensing devices. Individual ones of the sensors 212 can be configured to collect data associated with the patient, such as data associated with the patient’s sleep state and / or respiratory performance. Representative data that can be obtained via one or more of the sensors 212 includes respiratory rate, sleep state, wake state, heart rate, audio signals (corresponding to audible snoring, hypopnea events, and / or apnea events), body temperature, head orientation / position, saturated blood oxygen levels, air flow levels, thyroid movement, trachea movement, tongue movement, photoplethysmography (PPG) data, and / or combinations thereof. Each of the foregoing types of data can be received by a corresponding type of sensor (e.g., heart rate data via a heart rate sensor, head orientation / position data via an accelerometer, body temperature from a temperature sensor, audio signals from a microphone or other audio sensor, etc.), and can correspond to a measure of the patient’s respiratory performance,sleep state, wake state, and / or other suitable metrics, including metrics that are used to rate the patient on the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI).

[0027] The first implantable device 204a can include a first power receiving device 214a, first circuitry 216a, a first communication device 218a, a first signal generator 220a, and / or one or more first electrodes 224a. The first power receiving device 214a can be configured to receive power from the first power transmission device 206a and can be operably coupled to the signal generator 220a such that all or a subset of the power received by the first power receiving device 214a can be transmitted to the signal generator 220a. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the first circuitry 216a operably couples the first power receiving device 214a to the first signal generator 220a and is configured to transmit all or a subset of the power received by the first power receiving device 214a to the first signal generator 220a.

[0028] In some embodiments, the first power receiving device 214a can be configured to receive a near field power signal NFP from the first power transmission device 206a. As used herein, a near field power signal includes a power signal having one or more near field frequencies of from about 50 kHz to about 30 MHz, such as from about 5 MHz to about 25 MHz, and / or about 13.56 MHz. The first power receiving device 214a can be configured to receive the near field power signal NFP and not, e.g., other power signals at other (e.g., non-near field) frequencies. In at least some embodiments, for example, the first power transmission device 206a and / or the first power receiving device 214a include one or more near field coils, near field antennas, and / or other near field power transmission and / or receiving devices. To improve or even optimize power transmission efficiency, the first power receiving device 214a and the first power transmission device 206a can be positioned no more than 10 cm, 5 cm, 4 cm, 3 cm, 2 cm, or 1 cm apart from one another, e.g., when in use.

[0029] In some embodiments, the first power transmission device 206a includes a first coil having a diameter of between about 2 cm and about 7 cm, and / or the first power receiving device 214a can include a second coil having a diameter of between about 3 mm to about 5 mm. In some embodiments, the first power transmission device 206a includes an intraoral coil with discrete capacitors configured to tune a resistor-inductor or RL stack, e.g., instead of ceramic layers. In some embodiments, the first power receiving device 214a includes a ceramic bobbin carrying a coil formed from a biocompatible wire (e.g., Litz wire, a Parylene-coated wire, a gold wire, a wire conformally-coated with gold, and / or combinations thereof) and surrounding a ferrite slug. The mass of the ferrite slug may be optimized for compatibility with magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) while maintaining adequate power transfer and communication. In some embodiments, the first power receiving device 214a includes a coil that is wound to have varying or multiple axes of curvature, e.g., such that not all turns in the coil are axial and / or otherwise about a same axis. This coil can define, for example, a bowed, zig-zag, clover, concentric, oval, or other suitable shape. In some embodiments, the first power receiving device 214a includes an implantable flexible coil with discrete capacitors. The flexibility of this coil can reduce its rigidity when implanted which, in turn, can improve the coil’s longevity and / or expected operational lifetime. The coil can include a resistor-inductor or RL stack configuration to allow a user to dynamically tune the coil’s power reception frequency. In some embodiments, the first power receiving device 214a can be rigid, or at least generally resistant to deformation, and contoured based at least in part on the location within the patient at which the first implantable device 204a is configured to be positioned. In some embodiments, the first power receiving device 214a has a spherical shape with tetrahedral windings or three mutually perpendicular windings to reduce, or eliminate entirely, sensitivity to the orientation of the first power receiving device 214a. In some embodiments, the first power receiving device 214a includes an expandable and / or inflatable balloon or other structure. In some embodiments, the first power receiving device 214a is housed within deployable (e.g., expandable, unrollable, etc.) panels or wings coupled to the first implantable device 204a and that can be deployed after implantation, e.g., when the implantable device 204a has been anchored to patient tissue.

[0030] The signal generator 220a can be configured to generate one or more modulation signals for delivery to a patient via the electrodes 224a. The signal generator 220a can be configured to receive instructions for generating the one or more modulation signals, e.g., via the power receiving device 214a and / or the communication device 218a (e.g., an RFID module, a Bluetooth radio, etc.). In these and other embodiments, the power receiving device 214a and / or the communication device 218a can be used to transmit information 226a associated with the first implantable device 204a to the external device 202. For example, the information 226a can (i) include and / or otherwise be associated with one or more of the signal delivery parameters of the modulation signal being applied to the patient, (ii) include a receipt to indicate that the first power receiving device 214a received power from the external device 202, and / or (iii) provide a magnitude of the received power. The controller 208 can be configured to use the information 226a to autoregulate (e.g., increase or decrease) the output of the signal generator 220a and / or one or more of the parameters of the modulation signal. The power receiving device 214a and / or the communication device 218a can be configured to transmit the information 226a using backscatter,pulse width modulation, frequency modulation, and / or one or more other suitable transmission techniques.

[0031] The first circuitry 216a can be configured to condition the received power before and / or while transmitting all or a subset of the received power to the signal generator 220a. For example, the circuitry 216a can include a power rectifier and / or DC-DC converter, one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), a state machine, and / or other circuit components configured to condition the received power to (i) operate the signal generator 220a, (ii) provide instructions to the signal generator 220a for generating the modulation signal, and / or (iii) control other features of the first implantable device 204a. For example, the circuitry 216a can provide the signal generator 220a with one or more parameters (e.g. frequency, amplitude, pulse width, interpulse spacing, etc.) for the generated modulation signal.

[0032] In some embodiments, the first implantable device 204a includes a first charge storage element or device 222a (“charge storage 222a”) downstream from the signal generator 220a. The charge storage 222a (e.g., a capacitor or other charge storage element) can be configured to temporarily store the modulation signals generated by the signal generator 220a, e.g., before those modulation signals are passed to the electrode(s) 224a for delivery to the patient. For example, the charge storage 222a can be configured to store the modulation signals for a duration of no more than no more than 1 second, 2 seconds, 3 seconds, 4 seconds, 5 seconds, 1 minute, 2 minutes, 3 minutes, 4, minutes, or 5 minutes, such that the first implantable device 204a is not configured to operate for extended periods of time in the absence of wirelessly-delivered. In these and / or other embodiments, the first implantable device 204a can omit (e.g., not include) a battery, power capacitor (e.g., a super capacitor), and / or other power storage element configured to store a charge for extended periods of time (e.g., at least 1 hour, 6 hours, 12 hours, 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, etc.). In at least some embodiments, the charge storage 222a can be omitted entirely.]0033[ The second implantable device 204b can include a second power receiving device 214b, second circuitry 216b, a second communication device 218b, a second signal generator 220b, second charge storage 222b, and / or one or more second electrodes 224b. Each of the second circuitry 216b, the second communication device 218b, the second signal generator 220b, the second charge storage 222b, and / or the one or more second electrodes 224b can be configured to operate with one another and / or the external device 202 in a manner that is at least generally similar or identical to the description herein of the first implantable device 204a and / or the first circuitry 216a, the first communication device 218a, the first signal generator 220a, the first chargestorage 222a, and / or the first one or more electrodes 224a thereof. For example, the second power receiving device 214b can be configured to receive power from the second power transmission device 206b and provide all or at least a subset of that received power (e.g., via the second circuitry 216b) to the second signal generator 220b. However, the second power receiving device 214b can be configured to receive a far field power signal FFP from the second power transmission device 206b. As used herein, a far field power signal includes a power signal having one or more far field frequencies of from about 300 MHz to about 2.5 GHz, such as from about 400 MHz to about 1 GHz, or from about 916 MHz to about 918 MHz. The second power receiving device 214b can be configured to receive the far field power signal FFP and not, e.g., other power signals at other (e.g., non-far field) frequencies. In at least some embodiments, for example, the second power transmission device 206b and / or the second power receiving device 214b can include one or more far field coils and / or antennas. Accordingly, the second implantable device 204b can have a different configuration (e.g., a different power receiving device and / or different power conditioning processes and / or circuitry) than the first implantable device 204a at least because the second implantable device 204b can be configured to receive power at one or more different (e.g., higher) frequencies than the first implantable device 204a. The first and second implantable devices 204a, b can be distinguished based on visual appearance and / or one or more other unique identifiers, such as different RFID signatures or serial numbers.

[0034] To improve or even optimize power transmission efficiency, the second power receiving device 214b and the second power transmission device 206b can be positioned no more than 16 cm, 15 cm, 10 cm, 9 cm, 8 cm, 7 cm, 6 cm, 5 cm, 4 cm, 3 cm, 2 cm, or 1 cm apart from one another, e.g., when in use. In at least some embodiments, the second implantable device 204b can be positioned a greater distance from the external device 202 than the first implantable device 204a, e.g., when in use. For example, the first power transmission device 206a can be configured to transmit the near field power signal NFP to the first power receiving device 214a when the first power receiving device 214a is located at a first distance from the first power transmission device 206a, the second power transmission device 206b can be configured to transmit the far field power signal FFP to the second power receiving device 214a when the second power receiving device 214a is located at a second distance from the second power transmission device 206b, and the second distance can be greater than (e.g., up to 1.5x, 2x, 2.5x, 3x, 3.5x, 4x, 4.5x, 5x, and / or combinations thereof greater than) the first distance. Accordingly, the first implantable device 204a can be configured to be positioned to deliver one or more first modulation signals to one or more first target tissues that are generally proximate to the external device 202 whereas the secondimplantable device 204b can be configured to be positioned to deliver one or more second modulation signals to one or more second target tissues located comparatively distantly or remotely from the external device 202. In at least some embodiments, and as described below with reference to FIG. 3, the external device 202 can be positioned around a user’s neck, the first implantable device 204a can be positioned to deliver the modulation signal to anterior branches of the user’s hypoglossal nerve or the user’s genioglossus muscle, and the second implantable device 204b can be positioned to deliver the modulation signal to an ansa cervicalis nerve of the user or one or more of the muscles innervated by the ansa cervicalis nerve.

[0035] The second power transmission device 206b and the second power receiving device 214b can have at least generally similar or identical shapes or geometries but can be differently sized. For example, in some embodiments the second power transmission device 206b includes a first coil having a first diameter of from about 1.5 cm to about 10 cm, and / or the second power receiving device 214b can include a second coil having a second diameter of from about 0.15 cm to about 3 cm. The coil wire diameters and / or number of turns can be selected based at least in part on the far field power transmission frequency, e.g., to optimize power transmission efficiency.]0036] In some embodiments, the external device 202 is configured to transmit a same amount of energy (e.g., watt-hours or Wh) to the first implantable device 204a and the second implantable device 204b. In other embodiments, the external device 202 is configured to transmit different amounts of energy to the first implantable device 204a and the second implantable device 204b. For example, the external device 202 can be configured to transmit less energy to the second implantable device 204b, e.g., a first amount of energy to the first implantable device 204a and a second amount of energy less that is than (e.g., up to 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, 6x, 7x, 8x, 9x, lOx, and / or combinations thereof less than) the first amount of energy to the second implantable device 204b. Transmitting less energy to the second implantable device 204b can increase the power transmission efficiency to the second implantable device 204b and / or reduce the power consumption at the external device 202. For embodiments in which the second implantable device 204b receives less energy than the first implantable device 204a, the modulation signals delivered by the electrodes 224b carried by the second implantable device 204b are expected to cause a reduced or less-pronounced patient response compared to modulation signals delivered by the electrodes 224a carried by the first implantable device 204a. For example, the one or more first modulation signals delivered by the first implantable device 204a can produce a gross patient motor response (e.g., movement of the tongue and / or a surface portion thereof) that prevents, at least partially reduces, or even alleviates an airway obstruction while the one or more secondmodulation signals delivered by the second implantable device 204b can maintain a tone, increase a stiffness, and / or otherwise prevent collapse (e.g., further collapse) of, one or more muscles and / or other tissues that define the patient’s airway, e.g., without or generally without producing other movement and / or a gross motor response.[0037| In some embodiments, the controller 208 can be configured to condition the circuitry 216a, 216b in advance of power delivery (e.g., near-field and / or far-field power delivery). For example, the controller 208 can be configured to deliver, via the first power transmission device 206a and / or the second power transmission device 206b, one or more initial high-power pulses (e.g., having an amplitude of up to 0.25 mA) to the first implantable device 204a and / or the second implantable device 204b. The signal delivery parameters (e.g., average power) of this conditioning pulse can be optimized so as to comply with any applicable regulatory or safety limits. Delivering the conditioning pulse can correctly bias the circuitry 216a, 216b (e.g., diodes in rectifier circuits within the circuitry 216a, 216b) which, in turn, can reduce overall energy requirements when initially providing power to the implantable devices 204a, b or otherwise “cold starting” the power delivery process.

[0038] In some embodiments, the first power transmission device 206a and / or the second power transmission device 206b include a tunable transmit coil operably coupled to a transmit amplifier, and the controller 208 can be configured to controlling the current input to the transmit amplifier to account for variations in the transmit coil’s tuning due to the environment (e.g., proximity to the human body). Keeping the current in the transmit amplifier constant, or at least generally constant, may reduce power transmission efficiency but is expected to prevent variations in the transmit coil’s tuning from interrupting power transfer.1003 1 In some embodiments, the first power transmission device 206a and / or the second power transmission device 206b include multiple weakly-coupled power transmission devices. For example, the first power transmission device 206a and / or the second power transmission device 206b can include two coils configured so that the mutual coupling coefficient (K) and the quality factors for these unload coils (QI and Q2, respectively) have the following relationship:K * sqrt Ql * Q2) < 1The quality factors QI, Q2 are expected to on the order of tens or hundreds, so the mutual coupling coefficient K is expected to be on the order of tenths or hundredths, such as from about 50 to about 300 including, e.g., 140 or one or more other suitable mutual coupling coefficients. Having multiple weakly-coupled power transmission devices configured in this manner is expected toincrease power transmission efficiency and thereby reduce power draw during power transmission. For example, without being bound by theory, when two transmission coils are weakly coupled to each other, they provide roughly parallel "fields" with comparable values at the receiver coil location, creating positive interference. That is, the configuration and / or operation of the two transmission coils can be configured so that the positive interference occurs at (or at least proximate to) the receiver coil location. Accordingly, when the two transmission coils are driven in phase (even if using the same power amplifier for both transmission coils), the positive interference at the receiver coil can increase power transmission efficiency at the receiver coil location and, accordingly, increase power transmission efficiency to the implantable device.

[0040] FIG. 2B is a block diagram illustrating additional elements of the system 200 of FIG. 2A, in accordance with embodiments of the present technology. The system 200 can include the external device 202, the first implantable device 204a, and the second implantable device 204b described previously herein. In some embodiments, the system 200 includes multiple of the first implantable device 204a and / or multiple of the second implantable device 204b, represented collectively in FIG. 2B by the “Nth implantable device 202n.” The first implantable device 204a, the second implantable device 204b, and the Nth implantable device 204n are referred to collectively as “the implantable devices 204.” The system 200 can further include a connected device or programmer 230 and / or a charger 234. The programmer 230 can include a patient- operated programmer and / or a clinician-operated programmer and can be configured to transmit instructions to control one or more characteristics of the modulation signal delivered to the patient by the implantable devices 204. In a representative embodiment, the programmer 230 can include a therapy adjustment module configured to select individual ones of the electrodes carried by one of the implantable devices 204 and adjust (e.g., increase or decrease) an amplitude, frequency, pulse width, and / or burst duration, adjust whether the electrode is active or inactive, and / or adjust any other suitable signal delivery parameter. Additionally, the programmer 230 can synthesize information (e.g., diagnostic and / or feedback information) received from a user, the external device 202, and / or individual ones of the implantable devices 204 and can adjust one or more of the signal delivery parameters based at least partially on the synthesized information.

[0041] The programmer 230 can communicate with the implantable devices 204 directly or via the external device 202. For example, the programmer 230 can be connected to individual ones of the implantable devices 204 and / or the external device 202 via a wired or wireless communication link, such as WiFi, Bluetooth (“BT”), cellular connectivity, and / or any other suitable communication link. In these and other embodiments, the programmer 230 can beconnected to the “cloud” 234 and / or other computer service(s), e.g., to upload data received from the wearable device’s 202 sensors and / or to download information to the external device 202 and / or the implantable devices 204. In these and other embodiments, the programmer 230 can include a display and / or a user interface. A user (e.g., the patient, the clinician, and / or other suitable user) can interact with and / or otherwise control one or more aspects of the programmer 230 via the user interface, e.g., to manually adjust one or more of the signal delivery parameters, to read data received from the external device 202 sensors, provide one or more inputs corresponding to a tissue collapse pattern, and / or carry out other tasks.

[0042] The charger 232 can be configured to operably connect to the external device 202 to supply power to the wearable device’s 202 power source. The charger 232 can include a wireless (e.g., inductive) charger, a wired charger (e.g., wall-plug, charging cable, etc.), an onboard power source (e.g., a generator, a solar panel, a battery, a rechargeable battery, etc.) and / or any other suitable charger or charging device. Optionally, the charger 232 can include an integrated controller and / or a connected device, e.g., to control the charging of the external device 202 and / or to upload / download data to the external device 202 while the external device 202 is charging.

[0043] In some embodiments, the external device 202 can further include a cover or housing, at least a portion of which may be removeable, e.g., to expose an interior or interior portion of the external device 202. In these and other embodiments, the external device 202 cover can include fabric, or any other suitable material. Optionally, the external device 202 can include a reduced-scope and / or simplified user interface configured to allow a user to interact with and / or otherwise control one or more of the elements of the external device 202, e.g., without using the programmer 230. For example, the external device 202 user interface may allow the user to check a charging status of the power source, power on and / or off the external device 202, adjust one or more of the signal delivery parameters, configured and / or verify therapy delivery, select one or more therapy presets, confirm and / or verify placement of the external device 202, etc.|0044] FIG. 3 is a side view of a lower jaw and neck of a patient P, with elements of a sleep apnea treatment system 300 (“system 300”) positioned in accordance with embodiment of the present technology. At least some features of the system 300 can be at least generally similar or identical in structure and / or function to one or more features of the system 200 described previously with reference to FIGS. 2 A and 2B. For example, the system 300 can include an external device 302 having a first power transmission device 306a and a second power transmission device 306b, a first implantable device 304a having a first power receiving device314a and one or more electrodes 324a, and a second implantable device 304b having a second power receiving device 314b and one or more electrodes 324b. The external device 302 can be configured to transmit a first or near field power signal NFP to the first power receiving device 314a of the first implantable device 304a via the first power transmission device 306a, as described previously with reference to the first power transmission device 206a and the first power receiving device 214a in FIG. 2A. The external device 302 can also be configured transmit a second or far field power signal FFP to the second power receiving device 314b of the second implantable device 304b via the second power transmission device 306b, as described previously with reference to the second power transmission device 206b and the second power receiving device 214b in FIG. 2 A. In the illustrated embodiment the external device 202 has a collar formfactor and is configured to be positioned around the patient’s neck. Additional details regarding external devices and other suitable wearable form factors can be found in U.S. Pat. App. No. 17 / 851,718, filed May 19, 2022, and PCT App. No. PCT / US24 / 52050, filed October 18, 2024, the entireties of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.(0045] In the illustrated embodiment, the first implantable device 304a is positioned to deliver one or more first modulation signals (e.g., via the electrodes 324a) to the anterior branches AB of the patient’s hypoglossal nerve HGN and the second implantable device 304b is positioned to deliver one or more second modulation signals (e.g., via the electrodes 324b) to a third branch B3 of the patient’s ansa cervicalis AC that bifurcates to innervate both the sternohyoid muscle SHM and the sternothyroid muscle STM. In other embodiments, the first implantable device 304a can be positioned to deliver the one or more first modulation signals to additional and / or other target tissues that are relatively distant or remote from the external device 202, such as one or both of the patient’s genioglossus muscles GG, a medial branch MB of the hypoglossal nerve HGN, and / or a motor end plate associated with one of the genioglossus muscles GG and at which the anterior branches AB innervate that genioglossus muscle. In these and / or other embodiments, the second implantable device can be positioned to deliver the one or more second modulation signals to additional and / or other target tissues that are proximate the external device 202, such as a superior root SR of the ansa cervicalis AC, an inferior root IR of the ansa cervicalis AC, a first branch B3 of the ansa cervicalis AC innervating a superior belly of the patient’s omohyoid muscle OHM, a second branch B2 of the ansa cervicalis AC innervating an inferior belly of the patient’s omohyoid muscle OHM, a first bifurcation B3a of the third branch B3 innervating the sternothyroid muscle STM, a second bifurcation B3b of the third branch B3 innervating the sternohyoid muscle SHM, any of the muscles listed above or innervated by the ansa cervicalisAC, and / or the patient’s thyrohyoid muscle THM. Additional details regarding target tissues for the first implantable device 304a and / or the second implantable device 304b can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 11,964,154, filed June 7, 2023, and U.S. Pat. No. 12,246,175, filed March 15, 2024, the entireties of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.[0046| FIG. 4 is a plan view of a power transmission device 406 configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology. The power transmission device 406 can be a near- field power transmission device or a far-field power transmission device. The power transmission device 406 can include multiple power transmission coils 440 (individually identified in FIG. 4 as a first or left coil 440a and a second or right coil 440b). Having multiple coils 440 can allow the power transmission device 406 to use one, a plurality, or all of the multiple coils 440 for power transmission, e.g., to adjust the transmitted amount of power and / or allow the power transmission device 406 to operate at various power levels, which is expected to improve the overall power transmission efficiency of the power transmission device 406.

[0047] Both of the coils 440a, 440b can include one or more wires 442 (e.g., one or more first wires 442a for the first coil 440a and one or more second wires 442b for the second coil 440b). The wires 442 can extend in the Y- and X- directions, e.g., as shown in FIG. 4. The segments of the wires 442 through which current travels in a positive Y-direction can define a center or medial coil region 444, shown in dashed line in FIG. 4. An implantable device 404 and / or a power receiving device thereof can be aligned with (e.g., at least generally parallel to) the medial coil region 444, and the implantable device 404 can be located at a distance (an implanted depth in, e.g., the Z-direction) from the power transmission device 406. With the power transmission device 406 and the implantable device 404 in this alignment, the magnitude of the magnetic field created at the implantable device 404 by the power transmission device 406 is approximately equal to that of the coil plane with the same linear current density as in the medial coil region 444, e.g., assuming that the implanted depth of the implantable device is less than or equal to the turn separation of the coils 440a, 440b and that the distance between the implantable device 404 and the edges / boundary of the medial coil region 444 is at least 1.5 times the implanted depth of the implantable device. The relative positions of the positive Y-direction current wire segments defining the medial coil region 444 can allow the coils 440 to transmit power efficiently while also remaining planar, or at least generally planar, and accordingly can reduce the size, profile, bulk, etc. of the power transmission device 406. Smaller profile / more planar power transmission devices are expected to be more comfortable and / or less obtrusive to use and therefore improve patient comfort during use and / or improve overall patient compliance. Current traveling throughthe wires 442 in the negative Y-direction is not expected to affect the magnitude of the magnetic field, provided that the implantable device 404, as projected onto the plain of the power transmission device, is a distance from the negative Y-direction wires that is greater than one, two, or more implanted depths. In some embodiments, these negative Y-direction wires can be bent or curved away from the medial coil region 444 to make their contribution to the magnetic field in phase with that of medial coil region 444. In some embodiments, the coils 440a, 440b can be asymmetric and / or driven at different current amplitudes e.g., to adjust for variations in the location and / or orientation of the implantable device 404.4. Examples

[0048] The following examples provide further embodiments of the present technology:1. A system for addressing sleep apnea in a patient, the system comprising: an external device configured to be positioned external to the patient and wirelessly provide power to an implantable device configured to be implanted within the patient to address the patient’s sleep apnea, wherein the external device includes- a power source; a first power transmission device operably coupled to the power source and configured to transmit a first power signal at one or more first frequencies in a first frequency range; and a second power transmission device operably coupled to the power source and configured to transmit a second power signal at one or more second frequencies in a second frequency range, wherein the second frequency range is higher than the first frequency range, wherein the implantable device is configured to receive the first power signal or the second power signal.2. The system of example 1 wherein: the first power transmission device includes a near-field power transmission device configured to transmit a near-field power signal at one or more near-field frequencies in a near-field frequency range of from about 50 kHz to about 30 MHz; andthe second power transmission device includes a far-field power transmission device configured to transmit a far-field power signal at one or more far-field frequencies in a far-field frequency range of from about 300 MHz to about 2.5 GHz.3. The system of example 1 or example 2 wherein at least one of the one or more second frequencies in the second frequency range is at least 10 times greater than at least one of the one or more first frequencies in the first frequency range.4. The system of any of examples 1-3 wherein the first power signal includes an inductive power signal and wherein the second power signal includes a radiative power signal.5. The system of any of examples 1-4, further comprising the implantable device, wherein: the implantable device is a first implantable device and includes — a first power receiving device configured to receive the first power signal, a first signal generator configured to receive power from the first power receiving device and generate a first modulation signal, and one or more first electrodes operably coupled to the first signal generator and configured to deliver the first modulation signal to a first target tissue of the patient; and the system further comprises a second implantable device that includes — a second power receiving device configured to receive the second power signal, a second signal generator configured to receive power from the second power receiving device and generate a second modulation signal, and one or more second electrodes configured to deliver the second modulation signal to a second target tissue of the patient, wherein the second target tissue is different than the first target tissue.6. The system of example 5 wherein the first target tissue includes a hypoglossal nerve of the patient and wherein the second target tissue includes an ansa cervicalis nerve of the patient.7. The system of example 5 or example 6 wherein: the first power transmission device is configured to transmit the first power signal to the first power receiving device while the first power receiving device is located at a first distance from the first power transmission device, the second power transmission device is configured to transmit the second power signal to the second power receiving device while the second power receiving device is located at a second distance from the second power transmission device, and the second distance is greater than the first distance.8. The system of example 7 wherein the first distance is up to 5 cm and wherein the second distance is up to 16 cm.9. The system of example 7 or example 8 wherein the second distance is up to 3 times greater than the first distance.10. The system of any of examples 5-9 wherein the first power receiving device includes a first coil antenna having a diameter of from about 3 cm to about 5 cm and wherein the second power receiving device includes a second coil antenna having a diameter of from about 0.15 cm to about 3 cm.11. The system of any of examples 1-10 wherein: the implantable device is configured to receive the first power signal and is incapable of receiving the second power signal, or the implantable device is configured to receive the second power signal and is incapable of receiving the first power signal.12. The system of any of examples 1-11 wherein: the first power transmission device is incapable of transmitting the second power signal, and the second power transmission device is incapable of transmitting the first power signal.13. A method of addressing sleep apnea in a patient, the method comprising: transmitting, via a first power transmission device of an external device, a first power signal to a first power receiving device of a first implantable device at one or more first frequencies in a first frequency range, the first implantable device positioned to deliver a first modulation signal to a first target tissue of the patient; and transmitting, via a second power transmission device of the external device, a second power signal to a second power receiving device of a second implantable device at one or more second frequencies in a second frequency range, the second implantable device positioned to deliver a second modulation signal to a second target tissue of the patient, wherein the second frequency range is higher than the first frequency range, and wherein the second target tissue is different than the first target tissue.14. The method of example 13 wherein: the first power transmission device includes a near field power transmission device and the first power receiving device includes a near field power receiving device, such that transmitting the first power signal includes transmitting a near field power signal from the near field power transmission device to the near field power receiving device at one or more near-field frequencies in a near-field frequency range of from about 50 kHz to about 30 MHz; and the second power transmission device includes a far field power transmission device and the second power receiving device includes a far field power receiving device, such that transmitting the second power signal includes transmitting a far field power signal from the far field power transmission device to the far field power receiving device at one or more far field frequencies in a far field frequency range of from about 300 MHz to about 2.5 GHz.15. The method of example 13 or example 14 wherein transmitting the first power signal includes transmitting the first power signal over a first distance, wherein transmitting the second power signal includes transmitting the second power signal over a second distance, and wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance.16. The method of example 15 wherein the second distance is up to 3 times greater than the first distance.17. The method of any of examples 13-16 wherein: transmitting the first power signal includes providing a first amount of energy to the first implantable device; and transmitting the second power signal includes providing a second amount of energy to the second implantable device, wherein the second amount of power is less than the first amount of power.18. The method of example 17 wherein the second amount of energy is up to 2 times less than the first amount of energy.19. The method of any of examples 13-18, further comprising: delivering the first modulation signal to the first target tissue to cause a movement of a first muscle associated with the patient’s airway; and delivering the second modulation signal to the second target tissue to increase a tone or maintain a stiffness of a second muscle associated with the patient’s airway.20. The method of example 19 wherein: the first target tissue includes a hypoglossal nerve of the patient and the first muscle includes a genioglossus muscle of the patient, and the second target tissue includes an ansa cervicalis nerve of the patient and the second muscle includes a sternohyoid muscle of the patient and / or a sternothyroid muscle of the patient.21. A power delivery system for a sleep apnea treatment system, the power delivery system comprising: a first implantable device including — a first, near field, power receiving device, and one or more first electrodes,wherein the first implantable device is configured to be positioned within a patient to deliver a first electrical signal, via the one or more first electrodes, to a first target tissue of the patient; a second implantable device including — a second, far field, power receiving device, and one or more second electrodes, wherein the second implantable device is configured to be positioned within a patient to deliver a second electrical signal, via the one or more second electrodes, to a second target tissue of the patient, different than the first target tissue; and a wearable device configured to be positioned external to a patient, the wearable device including — one or more first, near field, power transmission devices configured to transmit a near field power signal to the first power receiving device of the first implantable device, and one or more second, far field, power transmission devices configured to transmit a far field power signal to the second power receiving device of the second implantable device.22. The power delivery system of example 20 wherein the first target tissue is a hypoglossal nerve of the patient.23. The power delivery system of example 21 or example 22 wherein the first target tissue is a genioglossus muscle of the patient.24. The power delivery system of any of examples 21-23 wherein the second target tissue is an ansa cervicalis nerve of the patient.25. The power delivery system of any of examples 21-24 wherein the second target tissue includes a sternohyoid muscle of the patient, a sternothyroid muscle of the patient, an omohyoid muscle of the patient, and / or a thyrohyoid muscle of the patient.26. The power delivery system of any of examples 21-25 wherein the near field power signal includes a frequency in a frequency range of from about 5 MHz to about 25 MHz.27. The power delivery system of any of examples 21-26 wherein the far field power signal includes a frequency in a frequency range of from about 300 MHz to about 2.5 GHz.28. The power delivery system of any of examples 21-27 wherein the one or more first power transmission devices includes a coil antenna having a diameter of between about 2 cm and about 7 cm.29. The power delivery system of any of examples 21-28 wherein the one or more second power transmission devices includes a coil antenna having a diameter of between about 1.5 cm and about 10 cm.30. The power delivery system of any of examples 21-29 wherein the first power receiving device includes a coil antenna having a diameter of between about 3 cm to about 5 cm.31. The power delivery system of any of examples 21-30 wherein the second power receiving device includes a coil antenna having a diameter of between about 0.15 cm to about 3 cm.32. The power delivery system of any of examples 21-31 wherein — the one or more first power transmission devices are configured to transmit a first amount of power to the first implantable device; and the one or more second power transmission devices are configured to transmit a second amount of power to the second implantable device, the second amount being different than the first amount.33. The power delivery system of any of examples 21-32 wherein — the one or more first power transmission devices are configured to transmit a first amount of power to the first implantable device; andthe one or more second power transmission devices are configured to transmit a second amount of power to the second implantable device, the second amount being less than the first amount.34. The power delivery system of any of examples 21-33 wherein —(a) the first power receiving device is incapable of receiving a far field power signal;(b) the second power receiving device is incapable of receiving a near field power signal; or(c) both (a) and (b).35. The power delivery system of any of examples 21-34 wherein —(a) the one or more first power transmission devices are incapable of transmitting a far field power signal;(b) the one or more second power transmission devices are incapable of transmitting a near field power signal; or(c) both (a) and (b).36. A power delivery system for a sleep apnea treatment system, the power delivery system comprising: a first implantable device including — a first, near field, power receiving device, and one or more first electrodes, wherein the first implantable device is configured to be positioned within a patient to deliver a first electrical signal, via the one or more first electrodes, to a hypoglossal nerve of the patient; a second implantable device including — a second, far field, power receiving device, and one or more second electrodes, wherein the second implantable device is configured to be positioned within a patient to deliver a second electrical signal, via the one or more second electrodes, to an ansa cervicalis nerve of the patient; anda wearable device configured to positioned external to a patient, the wearable device including — one or more first power transmission devices configured to transmit a first amount of power to the first power receiving device of the first implantable device, via a near field power signal having a near field frequency in near field frequency range of from about 50 kHz to about 30 MHz, and one or more second power transmission devices configured to transmit a second amount of power less than the first amount of power to the second power receiving device of the second implantable device, via a far field power signal having a far field frequency in a far field frequency range of from about 400 MHz to about 1 GHz.37. A method of providing power to one or more implantable devices to address a patient’s sleep apnea, the method comprising: transmitting, via one or more first, near field power transmission devices of a wearable device, a near field power signal to a first power receiving device of a first implantable device configured to be positioned to deliver a first electrical signal to a first target tissue of the patient; and transmitting, via one or more second, far field power transmission devices of the wearable device, a far field power signal to a second power receiving device of a second implantable device configured to be positioned to deliver a second electrical signal to a second target tissue of the patient, different than the first target tissue.38. The method of example 37 wherein the first target tissue is a hypoglossal nerve of the patient.39. The method of example 37 or example 38wherein the first target tissue is a genioglossus muscle of the patient.40. The method of any of examples 37-39 wherein the second target tissue is an ansa cervicalis nerve of the patient.41. The method of any of examples 37-40 wherein the second target tissue includes a sternohyoid muscle of the patient, a sternothyroid muscle of the patient, an omohyoid muscle of the patient, and / or a thyrohyoid muscle of the patient.42. The method of any of examples 37-41 wherein transmitting the near field power signal includes transmitting a power signal having a frequency in a frequency range of from about 5 MHz to about 25 MHz.43. The method of any of examples 37-42 wherein transmitting the far field power signal includes transmitting a power signal having a frequency in a frequency range of from about 300 MHz to about 2.5 GHz.44. The method of any of examples 37-43 wherein — transmitting the near field power signal includes transmitting a first amount of power to the first implantable device; and transmitting the far field power signal includes transmitting a second amount of power to the second implantable device, wherein the second amount of power is different than the first amount of power.45. The power delivery system of any of examples 37-44 wherein — transmitting the near field power signal incudes transmitting a first amount of power to the first implantable device; and transmitting the far field power signal includes transmitting a second amount of power to the second implantable device, wherein the second amount of power is less than the first amount of power.46. A method of providing power to one or more implantable devices to address a patient’s sleep apnea, the method comprising: transmitting, via one or more first, near field power transmission devices of a wearable device, a near field power signal having a near field frequency in near field frequency range of from about 5 MHz to about 25 MHz to a first power receiving device of a first implantable device configured to be positioned to deliver a firstelectrical signal to a hypoglossal nerve of the patient to provide a first amount of power to the first implantable device; and transmitting, via one or more second, far field power transmission devices of the wearable device, a far field power signal having a far field frequency in a far field frequency range of from about 300 MHz to about 2.5 GHz to a second power receiving device of a second implantable device configured to be positioned to deliver a second electrical signal to an ansa cervicalis nerve of the patient to provide a second amount of power to the second implantable device, wherein the second amount of power is less than the first amount of power.47. The method of any of claims 37-46, further comprising programming the wearable device to — transmit the near field power signal to the first implantable device via the one or more first power transmission devices; and transmit the far field power signal to the second implantable device via the one or more second power transmission devices.48. The method of any of claims 37-46, further comprising, before transmitting the near field power signal and / or before transmitting the far field power signal, transmitting a power pulse to the first implantable device to condition the first power receiving device to receive the near field power signal.49. A method of providing power to one or more implantable devices to address a patient’s sleep apnea, the method comprising: programming the wearable device of any of claims 21-48 to — transmit the near field power signal to the first implantable device via the one or more first power transmission devices; and transmit the far field power signal to the second implantable device via the one or more second power transmission devices.50. A power delivery system for a sleep apnea treatment system, the power delivery system comprising: a wearable device configured to be positioned external to a patient, the wearable device including — one or more first power transmission devices configured to transmit a near field power signal to a first power receiving device of a first implantable device, and one or more second power transmission devices configured to transmit a far field power signal to a second power receiving device of a second implantable device.51. The power delivery system of example 50, further comprising the first implantable device, wherein the first implantable device includes the first power receiving device and one or more first electrodes configured to deliver a first electrical signal to a first target tissue of the patient.52. The power delivery system of example 50 or example 51, further comprising the second implantable device, wherein the second implantable device includes the second power receiving device and one or more second electrodes configured to deliver a second electrical signal to a second target tissue of the patient.

[0049] It will be appreciated that specific embodiments of the disclosed technology have been described herein for purposes of illustration, but that various modifications may be made without deviating from the technology. For example, the signal delivery device can be leadless or can include a lead with one or more of the electrodes of the signal delivery device carried by the lead. Certain aspects of the technology described in the context of particular embodiments may be combined or eliminated in other embodiments. For example, two signal delivery devices can be implanted to bilaterally target the patient’s tissues (e.g., left and right ansa cervicalis nerves) and / or to target different tissues on left and right sides of the patient (e.g., a left ansa cervicalis nerve and a right infrahyoid strap muscle of the patient). Further, while advantages associated with certain embodiments of the disclosed technology have been described in the context of those embodiments, other embodiments may also exhibit such advantages, and not all embodiments need necessarily exhibit such advantages to fall within the scope of the technology. Accordingly,the disclosure and associated technology can encompass other embodiments not expressly shown or described herein.

[0050] Several stimulation targets are described and / or illustrated with reference to FIGS. 1A, IB, and 3. For the purpose of illustrative clarity, these stimulation targets are shown with reference to a left or right side of the patient P’ s anatomy, for example, a first or left ansa cervicalis nerve of the patient P and / or a first or left one of the infrahyoid strap muscles. It will be appreciated, however, that at least some or all of the stimulation targets and / or implantation techniques described and / or illustrated with reference to FIGS 1 A, IB, and 3 are equally suitable for application to the other side of the patient’s anatomy, for example, the second or right ansa cervicalis nerve of the patient P and / or the second or right one of the infrahyoid strap muscles. Additionally, at least some of the stimulation targets and / or implantation techniques can be used for bilateral signal delivery, for example, to apply a first modulation signal to a first target tissue on a first side of the patient P at a first time, and to apply a second modulation signal to a second target tissue on a second side of the patient P at the same or different time. The second modulation signal can be the same or different than the first modulation signal. In some embodiments, the first and second target tissues can be corresponding left and right portions of the patient’s anatomy, such as first and second portions of the left and right ansa cervicalis nerves. In other embodiments, the first and second target tissues can be different, such as the left ansa cervicalis nerve and an infrahyoid strap muscle on a right side of the patient. Additional details regarding placing signal delivery devices to deliver modulation signals to the hypoglossal nerve are described in U.S. Pat. No. 11,964,154, which is incorporated by reference herein. Additional details regarding placing signal delivery devices to deliver modulation signals to the ansa cervicalis are described in U.S. Pat. No. 12,246,175, filed March 15, 2024, which is incorporated by reference herein.[00511 As used herein, the phrase “and / or,” as in “A” and / or “B” refers to A alone, B alone and both A and B. Unless otherwise stated, the terms "generally," "about," and "approximately" refer to values within 10% of a stated value. For example, the use of the term "about 100" refers to a range of 90 to 110, inclusive. In instances in which the context requires otherwise and / or relative terminology is used in reference to something that does not include a numerical value, the terms are given their ordinary meaning to one skilled in the art.

[0052] To the extent any materials incorporated herein by reference conflict with the present disclosure, the present disclosure controls.

Claims

CLAIMSI / We claim:

1. A system for addressing sleep apnea in a patient, the system comprising: an external device configured to be positioned external to the patient and wirelessly provide power to an implantable device configured to be implanted within the patient to address the patient’s sleep apnea, wherein the external device includes- a power source; a first power transmission device operably coupled to the power source and configured to transmit a first power signal at one or more first frequencies in a first frequency range; and a second power transmission device operably coupled to the power source and configured to transmit a second power signal at one or more second frequencies in a second frequency range, wherein the second frequency range is higher than the first frequency range, wherein the implantable device is configured to receive the first power signal or the second power signal.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein: the first power transmission device includes a near-field power transmission device configured to transmit a near-field power signal at one or more near-field frequencies in a near-field frequency range of from about 50 kHz to about 30 MHz; and the second power transmission device includes a far-field power transmission device configured to transmit a far-field power signal at one or more far-field frequencies in a far-field frequency range of from about 300 MHz to about 2.5 GHz.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the one or more second frequencies in the second frequency range is at least 10 times greater than at least one of the one or more first frequencies in the first frequency range.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the first power signal includes an inductive power signal and wherein the second power signal includes a radiative power signal.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising the implantable device, wherein: the implantable device is a first implantable device and includes — a first power receiving device configured to receive the first power signal, a first signal generator configured to receive power from the first power receiving device and generate a first modulation signal, and one or more first electrodes operably coupled to the first signal generator and configured to deliver the first modulation signal to a first target tissue of the patient; and the system further comprises a second implantable device that includes — a second power receiving device configured to receive the second power signal, a second signal generator configured to receive power from the second power receiving device and generate a second modulation signal, and one or more second electrodes configured to deliver the second modulation signal to a second target tissue of the patient, wherein the second target tissue is different than the first target tissue.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the first target tissue includes a hypoglossal nerve of the patient and wherein the second target tissue includes an ansa cervicalis nerve of the patient.

7. The system of claim 5 wherein: the first power transmission device is configured to transmit the first power signal to the first power receiving device while the first power receiving device is located at a first distance from the first power transmission device, the second power transmission device is configured to transmit the second power signal to the second power receiving device while the second power receiving device is located at a second distance from the second power transmission device, and the second distance is greater than the first distance.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the first distance is up to 5 cm and wherein the second distance is up to 16 cm.

9. The system of claim 7 wherein the second distance is up to 3 times greater than the first distance.

10. The system of claim 5 wherein the first power receiving device includes a first coil antenna having a diameter of from about 3 cm to about 5 cm and wherein the second power receiving device includes a second coil antenna having a diameter of from about 0.15 cm to about 3 cm.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein: the implantable device is configured to receive the first power signal and is incapable of receiving the second power signal, or the implantable device is configured to receive the second power signal and is incapable of receiving the first power signal.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein: the first power transmission device is incapable of transmitting the second power signal, and the second power transmission device is incapable of transmitting the first power signal.

13. A method of addressing sleep apnea in a patient, the method comprising: transmitting, via a first power transmission device of an external device, a first power signal to a first power receiving device of a first implantable device at one or more first frequencies in a first frequency range, the first implantable device positioned to deliver a first modulation signal to a first target tissue of the patient; and transmitting, via a second power transmission device of the external device, a second power signal to a second power receiving device of a second implantable device at one or more second frequencies in a second frequency range, the second implantable device positioned to deliver a second modulation signal to a second target tissue of the patient, wherein the second frequency range is higher than the first frequency range, and wherein the second target tissue is different than the first target tissue.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein: the first power transmission device includes a near field power transmission device and the first power receiving device includes a near field power receiving device, such that transmitting the first power signal includes transmitting a near field power signal from the near field power transmission device to the near field power receiving device at one or more near-field frequencies in a near-field frequency range of from about 50 kHz to about 30 MHz; and the second power transmission device includes a far field power transmission device and the second power receiving device includes a far field power receiving device, such that transmitting the second power signal includes transmitting a far field power signal from the far field power transmission device to the far field power receiving device at one or more far field frequencies in a far field frequency range of from about 300 MHz to about 2.5 GHz.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein transmitting the first power signal includes transmitting the first power signal over a first distance, wherein transmitting the second power signal includes transmitting the second power signal over a second distance, and wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the second distance is up to 3 times greater than the first distance.

17. The method of claim 13 wherein: transmitting the first power signal includes providing a first amount of energy to the first implantable device; and transmitting the second power signal includes providing a second amount of energy to the second implantable device, wherein the second amount of power is less than the first amount of power.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the second amount of energy is up to 2 times less than the first amount of energy.

19. The method of claim 13, further comprising: delivering the first modulation signal to the first target tissue to cause a movement of a first muscle associated with the patient’s airway; and delivering the second modulation signal to the second target tissue to increase a tone or maintain a stiffness of a second muscle associated with the patient’s airway.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein: the first target tissue includes a hypoglossal nerve of the patient and the first muscle includes a genioglossus muscle of the patient, and the second target tissue includes an ansa cervicalis nerve of the patient and the second muscle includes a sternohyoid muscle of the patient and / or a sternothyroid muscle of the patient.

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