Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation for Faster OSA Acclimation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing treatments for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea, such as CPAP and surgical interventions, suffer from low compliance, discomfort, and high complication rates, while hypoglossal nerve stimulation requires lengthy acclimation periods.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for hypoglossal nerve stimulation using a Smart Wireless Implantable Pulse Generator (SWIPG) with adjustable stimulation parameters, including electrodes and a communication module, to selectively activate the hypoglossal nerve and treat obstructive sleep apnea.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If hypoglossal nerve stimulation is used to treat moderate to severe OSA, then treatment efficacy is improved, but acclimation period is extended up to 6 months

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment efficacyVSAvoidacclimation period

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by gradually increasing stimulation intensity in controlled stages before full treatment begins. The microprocessor-controlled stimulator implements a ramp-up protocol that pre-acclimates the patient's nerve and tissue to higher stimulation levels, reducing the overall acclimation period from 6 months to a shorter initial phase followed by rapid adaptation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The stimulation parameters are made dynamic rather than static. The microprocessor adjusts stimulation intensity, pulse width, and frequency in real-time based on patient response and pre-programmed acclimation protocols. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize treatment efficacy while managing patient comfort and reducing acclimation time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If traditional surgical interventions are used to remove soft tissue and remodel the throat, then airway obstruction is reduced, but invasiveness and complication rate increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairway patencyVSAvoidinvasiveness and complications

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical surgical intervention with an electrical stimulation system. Instead of physically removing or remodeling tissue through surgery, the microprocessor-controlled stimulator uses electrical pulses to activate the hypoglossal nerve, which mechanically pulls the tongue forward to open the airway. This substitution eliminates surgical invasiveness while maintaining airway patency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The hypoglossal nerve acts as an intermediary between the electrical stimulator and the tongue position. The microprocessor-controlled system stimulates the nerve, which then triggers muscle contraction to move the tongue and maintain airway openness. This intermediary approach achieves surgical-like results without direct tissue manipulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If CPAP is used as first line treatment for moderate-to-severe OSA, then Apnea-Hypopnea Index is reduced, but compliance decreases due to discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveApnea-Hypopnea Index reductionVSAvoidpatient compliance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical CPAP system with an electrical nerve stimulation system. Instead of forcing air through the airway using positive pressure, the microprocessor-controlled stimulator activates the hypoglossal nerve to mechanically position the tongue and maintain airway openness. This substitution improves compliance by eliminating the discomfort of mask-wearing and pressurized airflow while maintaining therapeutic efficacy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12409328B1Hypoglossal nerve stimulation

Publication Date: 2025.09.09 BOARD OF RGT THE UNIV OF TEXAS SYST

AI summary

Systems and methods for hypoglossal nerve stimulation. Certain embodiments include a pulse generator, circuitry configured to receive an energy signal, a communication module, and a programming module. In certain embodiments, the first pulse generator comprises a first electrode and a second electrode, a pulse generator coil, and circuitry configured to receive an energy signal. In particular embodiments, the first pulse generator can be configured to be implanted directly on a hypoglossal nerve on a first side of the patient and configured to deliver stimulation energy to activate at least one branch of the hypoglossal nerve on the first side of the patient. The communication module can include a communication coil configured to communicate with the pulse generator coil in specific embodiments. The programming module can be configured to communicate programming instructions to the communication module, the programming instructions defining an attribute of the stimulation energy.