Implanted Stimulation System for Airway Patency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and upper airway restrictive/resistance syndrome (UARS) often require external devices to assist airflow, which can be cumbersome and non-obtrusive, and there is a need for a more automated and less invasive solution to stimulate muscle tissue to maintain an open airway.
Innovation Solution
An implanted stimulation system that includes a generator and power source to provide electrical stimulation to selected muscle areas, such as the lingual muscle, using leads with electrodes to activate and stiffen the muscle, potentially preventing airway obstruction through bilateral stimulation patterns and waveforms optimized based on real-time feedback from sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external devices are used to assist airflow for treating OSA and UARS, then airflow assistance is provided, but the treatment becomes cumbersome and obtrusive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces external mechanical airflow assistance devices with an implanted electrical stimulation system that activates lingual muscles to maintain airway patency. This substitution eliminates the need for cumbersome external equipment while providing reliable treatment through physiological muscle activation.
2Reliability
If implanted stimulation system is used to activate lingual muscles, then airway obstruction is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the power source, control circuitry, and stimulation electrodes into a single integrated implanted device. This merging of components reduces the overall system complexity compared to having separate external devices, while maintaining reliable airway patency through coordinated muscle stimulation.
3Reliability
If continuous stimulation is provided to prevent muscle fatigue, then treatment efficacy is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic or intermittent stimulation patterns rather than continuous stimulation. The control system monitors muscle response and delivers stimulation pulses only when needed to maintain airway patency, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while preserving treatment efficacy through strategically timed activation cycles.
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 implanted stimulation system effectively maintains an open airway by activating lingual muscles to prevent obstruction, offering an automated, less obtrusive treatment for OSA and UARS, reducing muscle fatigue and improving treatment efficacy through adaptive stimulation patterns.
Implementation Method 1
The stimulation may be provided by an implanted device... The source may include a generator and/or a power source to provide the stimulation to a selected area
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a system for stimulation of a subject. The stimulation may be to provide therapy to treat the subject. Stimulation may be of selected muscle groups and/or portions.