Asynchronous Airway Nerve Stimulation for Sleep Apnea
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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 reduced effectiveness.
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 overlap with the inspiratory phase of respiratory cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering 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
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the sensor component from the stimulation system, extracting the synchronization function dependency from real-time respiratory sensing. The stimulation is delivered based on a predetermined protocol with alternating stimulation and non-stimulation periods, eliminating the need for complex sensors while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness through asynchronous delivery that still overlaps with inspiratory phases.
2Measurement precision
If sensor-based synchronization is implemented, then stimulation timing accuracy is improved, but cost increases and implantation difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor and associated synchronization hardware are removed from the system. Instead of achieving timing accuracy through real-time measurement, the patent uses a predetermined asynchronous protocol that is simpler to manufacture and implant, while still ensuring therapeutic benefit through overlap with inspiratory phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The stimulation protocol is predetermined and programmed in advance without requiring real-time sensing or adjustment. The alternating stimulation and non-stimulation periods are established beforehand, eliminating the need for complex implantation procedures while maintaining adequate timing accuracy for therapeutic effect.
3Reliability
If continuous synchronized stimulation is applied, then airway patency is maintained, but muscle fatigue increases and effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by using alternating stimulation and non-stimulation periods in the asynchronous protocol. This allows the airway-patency-related muscle to rest during non-stimulation periods, preventing fatigue while maintaining airway patency during stimulation periods when it is most needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The stimulation system transitions from continuous static stimulation to dynamic periodic stimulation with varying on/off states. This dynamic approach adapts the stimulation delivery to prevent muscle fatigue while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness for airway patency.
4Device complexity
If asynchronous stimulation without sensors is used, then system complexity is reduced and costs are lowered, but synchronization with respiratory cycles may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor and real-time synchronization components are removed, simplifying the system. The patent accepts that precise real-time synchronization is not achieved, but compensates by using a predetermined asynchronous protocol that still provides therapeutic benefit through overlap with inspiratory phases and periodic rest periods.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for treating sleep disordered breathing includes a stimulation element to stimulate an airway patency related nerve.