IMU Respiratory Sensor Synchronizes Neurostimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) lack precise synchronization of neurostimulation with the respiratory cycle, leading to inefficient treatment and increased surgical complexity due to the need for pressure sensors and invasive implantation procedures.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing an inertial measurement unit (IMU) to detect chest and abdominal movement, paired with a controller to synchronize neurostimulation with the respiratory cycle, reducing surgical time and improving treatment accuracy by integrating sensors to detect inspiration and expiration phases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pressure sensors are used to detect respiratory cycle for synchronized neurostimulation, then treatment accuracy is improved, but surgical complexity and invasiveness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces pressure sensors with an inertial measurement unit (IMU) that uses accelerometry to detect respiratory movements. The IMU sensor mounted on the patient's chest measures acceleration during inspiration and expiration, converting mechanical respiratory motion into detectable acceleration signals without requiring invasive pressure sensing infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing system that captures acceleration data from the IMU, processes these signals to identify inspiration and expiration phases, and then synchronizes neurostimulation delivery based on this processed information. This intermediary layer simplifies the overall system by using readily available acceleration data rather than complex pressure sensing.
2Reliability
If sequential stimulation is delivered to all electrode contacts, then complete nerve coverage is achieved, but treatment efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial action by selectively stimulating only the electrode contacts that correspond to active respiratory phases rather than sequentially stimulating all contacts. During inspiration, specific contacts are activated; during expiration, other contacts are activated. This partial stimulation approach maintains reliable nerve coverage while significantly improving treatment efficiency by avoiding redundant stimulation of all contacts regardless of respiratory state.
3Duration of action of moving object
If tongue protraction is stimulated without respiratory synchronization, then muscle toning is achieved, but therapeutic effectiveness during inspiration is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by synchronizing tongue protraction stimulation with the respiratory cycle. Neurostimulation is delivered periodically during inspiration phases when the upper airway is most vulnerable to collapse, and adjusted during expiration phases. This periodic, rhythmically synchronized stimulation ensures therapeutic effectiveness occurs precisely when needed during the respiratory cycle, rather than delivering continuous or arbitrary stimulation.
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 provides precise and efficient neurostimulation synchronized with the respiratory cycle, reducing therapeutic fatigue and surgical complications, while minimizing recovery time and improving treatment efficacy for OSA.
Implementation Method 1
an inertial measurement unit (IMU) comprising an accelerometer and a gyroscope, the IMU configured to detect chest and abdominal movement by a subject during the inspiration and expiration stages of a respiratory cycle
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides systems and methods for treating obstructive sleep apnea using a sensor (e.g., an inertial measurement unit (IMU) comprising an accelerometer and a gyroscope), wherein the sensor is configured to detect chest and/or abdominal movement by a subject (e.g., a human subject) during the inspiration and expiration stages of a respiratory cycle and to generate positional and/or velocity data based on the detected movement. Positional and/or velocity data generated by the sensor is used by an implanted stimulation system to determine when to deliver electrical stimulation to a nerve which innervates an upper airway muscle, such as the hypoglossal nerve, to treat sleep apnea.