Acoustic Sensor Integration for Synchronized Respiratory Stimulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems for treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) fail to synchronize neurostimulation with the respiratory cycle, leading to inefficient muscle stimulation and increased surgical complexity, particularly when implanting nerve cuff electrodes at the hypoglossal nerve trunk or branch, without adequate detection of the respiratory cycle.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an acoustic sensor, such as a microphone, to detect respiratory signals within the body, allowing precise synchronization of neurostimulation with the respiratory cycle by positioning it within the implantable pulse generator (IPG) or connected leads, eliminating the need for additional surgical placement of pressure sensors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an acoustic sensor is implemented to detect respiratory signals, then synchronization of neurostimulation with the respiratory cycle is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesynchronization accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The acoustic sensor is integrated within the implantable pulse generator (IPG) housing or positioned within the lead, merging the sensing and stimulation functions into a single implanted device. This eliminates the need for separate sensor implants and reduces overall system complexity despite adding sensing capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The IPG is designed to perform multiple functions: delivering neurostimulation and detecting respiratory signals through the integrated acoustic sensor. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components and simplifies the overall implantation procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If pressure sensors are used to detect respiratory signals, then respiratory cycle detection is achieved, but surgical complexity and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverespiratory cycle detectionVSAvoidsurgical time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The acoustic sensor is combined with the IPG or lead structure, eliminating the need for separate sensor implantation procedures. This integration significantly reduces surgical time and complexity compared to separate pressure sensor implantation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical pressure sensors with an acoustic sensing system that detects respiratory signals through sound waves. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical coupling and complex positioning required by pressure sensors, simplifying the surgical procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If nerve cuff electrodes are implanted at the hypoglossal nerve trunk, then stimulation coverage is improved, but surgical difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestimulation coverageVSAvoidsurgical difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The acoustic sensor serves as an intermediary that provides respiratory cycle information to guide the timing of stimulation. This allows the system to achieve effective stimulation coverage by synchronizing with the respiratory cycle, compensating for the challenges of trunk-level implantation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs dynamic stimulation timing that adapts to the patient's natural respiratory cycle rather than using fixed timing. This dynamic approach optimizes stimulation effectiveness across different respiratory rates and patterns, improving coverage despite surgical challenges.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Accurately detects inspiration and expiration phases for targeted muscle stimulation, reducing surgical time and complexity while enhancing treatment efficacy by ensuring stimulation occurs only when needed, thus minimizing therapeutic fatigue and improving patient compliance.

Implementation Method 1

at least one acoustic sensor configured to detect a plurality of acoustic signals generated by the patient

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic signal detection: Sound

Data Source

PatentUS20250269184A1Acoustic sensing for respiration detection

Publication Date: 2025.08.28 ALFRED E MANN FOUND FOR SCI RES

AI summary

The disclosure provides systems and methods for treating obstructive sleep apnea using an acoustic sensor configured to detect acoustic sounds generated by the heart and lungs. Sensory data from the acoustic sensor is used by an implanted stimulation system to determine when to deliver electrical stimulation to a nerve which innervates an upper airway muscle, such as the hypoglossal nerve, to treat sleep apnea.