Implantable Stimulation Elements for Sleep Disordered Breathing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing treatments for sleep disordered breathing, such as obstructive sleep apnea, are inadequate in effectively maintaining upper airway patency and often require complex neural pathways that do not directly stimulate muscles responsible for tongue protrusion and airway opening.
Innovation Solution
Implantation of stimulation elements via a midline incision in the submental region to directly stimulate hypoglossal and IHM-innervating nerves, muscles, and neuromuscular junctions, using cuff electrodes, axial arrays, and paddle-style electrodes to enhance upper airway patency through targeted muscle contraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing treatments use complex neural pathways for stimulation, then treatment coverage is broader, but treatment precision and direct effectiveness are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and directly stimulates the hypoglossal nerve and IHM-innervating nerves, which are the specific neural pathways responsible for tongue protrusion and airway opening. By isolating and directly targeting these specific nerves rather than using complex multi-pathway stimulation, the treatment achieves higher precision while reducing the complexity of neural pathways involved.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using complex neural pathways to indirectly achieve airway patency, the patent inverts the approach by directly stimulating the specific nerves (hypoglossal and IHM-innervating) that control tongue protrusion and airway opening muscles. This direct stimulation approach simplifies the neural pathway complexity while improving treatment precision and effectiveness.
2Reliability
If direct stimulation of hypoglossal and IHM-innervating nerves is used, then upper airway patency is improved, but surgical complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs preliminary action through the use of a stylet and guidewire during the surgical procedure. The stylet is inserted through the hypoglossal nerve to serve as a guide for placing the stimulation element, and the guidewire is used to navigate and position the element accurately. These preliminary tools simplify the surgical process by providing guidance and reducing the difficulty of direct nerve stimulation placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses intermediary tools (stylet and guidewire) as mediators between the surgeon and the target nerves. The stylet acts as an intermediary to penetrate and guide placement through the hypoglossal nerve, while the guidewire serves as an intermediary to navigate the IHM-innervating nerves. These intermediaries reduce the direct surgical complexity by providing mechanical guidance and safety.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple electrode types (cuff, axial, paddle) are used, then treatment versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the stimulation element into multiple independent electrode types (cuff electrodes, axial arrays, and paddle-style electrodes) that can be selectively applied to different nerves. Each electrode type is designed for specific nerve targeting, allowing the system to maintain versatility while managing complexity through modular, specialized components rather than a single complex integrated design.
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
Direct electrical stimulation of upper airway muscles leads to increased tongue protrusion and airway patency, providing effective treatment for sleep disordered breathing with improved precision and reduced complexity.
Implementation Method 1
direct electrical stimulation of upper airway muscles leads to increased tongue protrusion and airway patency
Data Source
AI summary
An example devices comprises at least one implantable stimulation element to be in stimulating relation to at least one hypoglossal nerve portion, and optionally comprising a control portion configured to stimulate, via the at least one implantable stimulation element, the at least one hypoglossal nerve portion.