Implantable Hypoglossal Electrodes With Wearable RF Power Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are either invasive or have low compliance due to discomfort and inefficacy, such as surgical procedures and constant positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines, which do not adequately address the collapse of soft tissues in the upper airway during sleep.
Innovation Solution
A minimally invasive system involving implantable electrodes wirelessly coupled to a remote power delivery device that targets specific nerves, such as the hypoglossal nerve, to stimulate muscles and prevent tissue collapse, using a wearable device to provide electrical power and control the therapy based on real-time patient data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If surgical techniques are used to treat OSA, then treatment efficacy is improved, but patient comfort and invasiveness worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical surgical interventions with an electrical stimulation system. Implantable electrodes deliver electrical signals to the hypoglossal nerve to stimulate tongue muscles, maintaining airway patency without physical removal or reconstruction of tissue. This substitutes mechanical surgical methods with an electrical physiological modulation approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an external power delivery device as an intermediary to provide power to the implantable electrodes. This allows the implant to remain minimally invasive while still delivering effective therapy, as the power source is external and can be recharged or replaced without removing the electrodes themselves.
2Reliability
If CPAP machines are used to treat OSA, then upper airway patency is maintained, but patient comfort and compliance worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the airway support function from the bulky external CPAP machine and places it within the patient's body through implantable electrodes that stimulate tongue muscles. This internalizes the therapeutic function, eliminating the need for external masks and air pressure delivery systems that cause discomfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical air pressure system of CPAP with an electrical stimulation system. Instead of using positive air pressure to keep the airway open, the system uses electrical signals to activate tongue muscles, providing a more comfortable and compliant treatment option.
3Ease of operation
If existing electrical stimulation techniques are used, then tongue protrusion is achieved, but invasiveness and efficacy worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies electrical stimulation at a specific local site - the hypoglossal nerve in the oral cavity - rather than using generalized stimulation approaches. This localized application of electrical signals to the specific nerve controlling tongue movement achieves more precise and effective tongue positioning with minimal invasiveness.
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
The system effectively improves upper airway patency and reduces the severity of OSA by precisely stimulating nerves to move the tongue forward and prevent soft tissue collapse, offering a more comfortable and effective alternative to existing treatments.
Implementation Method 1
implantable electrodes wirelessly coupled to a remote power delivery device
Data Source
AI summary
Implantable electrodes with power delivery wearable for treating sleep apnea, and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. A representative system includes non-implantable signal generator worn by the patient and having an antenna that directs a mid-field RF power signal to an implanted electrode. The implanted electrode in turn directs a lower frequency signal to a neural target, for example, the patient's hypoglossal nerve. Representative signal generators can have the form of a mouthpiece, a collar or other wearable, and/or a skin-mounted patch.