Airway Nerve Stimulation Protocol Without Respiratory Sensors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing treatments for obstructive sleep apnea often require complex sensor-based systems that are costly, difficult to implant, and prone to synchronization issues, leading to muscle fatigue and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

An asynchronous nerve stimulation system that applies targeted stimulation to airway-patency-related nerves, independent of real-time respiratory information, using a stimulation protocol with alternating stimulation and non-stimulation periods, ensuring consistent overlap with the inspiratory phase of respiratory cycles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sensor-based systems are used to synchronize stimulation with respiratory cycles, then therapeutic effectiveness is improved, but system complexity increases and implantation becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetherapeutic effectivenessVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the sensing component from the stimulation system, extracting the problematic synchronization requirement while retaining the core therapeutic function. The stimulation is delivered based on a predetermined protocol without real-time respiratory sensing, thereby simplifying the system architecture and eliminating implantation difficulties associated with sensor placement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The stimulation system operates autonomously using a predetermined protocol that does not require external sensing input. The system self-regulates stimulation delivery based on programmed parameters, eliminating the need for complex sensor-based feedback loops and real-time synchronization mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If sensor-based synchronization is implemented, then stimulation timing is optimized, but muscle fatigue increases due to synchronization issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestimulation timing optimizationVSAvoidmuscle fatigue

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs periodic stimulation delivered in predetermined cycles rather than continuous synchronized stimulation. This periodic approach allows muscle rest periods between stimulation bursts, reducing cumulative muscle fatigue while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness through rhythmic activation patterns that align with natural respiratory rhythms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Measurement precision

If complex sensing and synchronization systems are used, then treatment precision is improved, but costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment precisionVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive, complex sensing and synchronization hardware with a simpler, predetermined protocol-based system. The stimulation parameters are pre-programmed and delivered without real-time sensing, significantly reducing system cost while maintaining adequate treatment precision through optimized fixed timing patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentEP4706512A1Stimulation for treating sleep disordered breathing

Publication Date: 2026.03.11 INSPIRE MEDICAL SYSTEMS INC

Figure 1A~2E
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 3C~3D

AI summary

A device for treating sleep disordered breathing includes a stimulation element to stimulate an airway-patency-related nerve.