Multi-Nerve Airway Stimulation for Position-Dependent Sleep Apnea
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing treatments for sleep disordered breathing, such as obstructive sleep apnea, are inadequate for some patients, particularly when they are in certain body positions, and may not effectively maintain upper airway patency.
Innovation Solution
Stimulating the ansa cervicalis-related nerve, in addition to or instead of the hypoglossal nerve, to increase upper airway patency, using implantable stimulation elements and devices that can be positioned at multiple locations along the nerve to provide targeted nerve stimulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hypoglossal nerve stimulation is used to treat sleep disordered breathing, then upper airway patency is improved, but treatment effectiveness is insufficient for some patients and certain body positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the stimulation system into multiple independent stimulation elements positioned at different locations along the ansa cervicalis-related nerve. This segmentation allows selective stimulation of different nerve segments to address varying airway collapse patterns in different body positions, thereby improving treatment reliability across diverse clinical scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The stimulation system is designed to provide multi-functional treatment by stimulating the ansa cervicalis-related nerve, which innervates multiple upper airway muscles including the sternothyroid, sternohyoid, and omohyoid muscles. This universal approach addresses various body positions and collapse patterns through a single adaptable system, enhancing versatility while maintaining treatment effectiveness.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple stimulation elements are positioned at different locations along the ansa cervicalis-related nerve, then treatment adaptability to different body positions is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple stimulation elements into a single lead structure that can be implanted through one surgical procedure. The lead contains multiple electrodes positioned at different locations along the ansa cervicalis-related nerve, merging the functionality of multiple separate devices into one integrated system, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent arranges stimulation elements along the longitudinal dimension of the ansa cervicalis-related nerve, utilizing the spatial dimension of nerve distribution. This dimensional approach allows multiple stimulation points to be achieved without increasing lateral complexity, as elements are distributed along the length of the nerve rather than requiring multiple separate implantation sites.
3Measurement precision
If stimulation is adjusted based on respiratory phases and body position, then treatment precision is improved, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates sensors that detect respiratory phase and body position, providing real-time feedback to the control system. This feedback mechanism enables automatic adjustment of stimulation parameters based on physiological conditions, improving treatment precision while managing control complexity through closed-loop control algorithms that process sensor data and modulate stimulation accordingly.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system utilizes the patient's own physiological signals (respiratory effort, body position) to automatically regulate stimulation delivery. The system self-adjusts based on inherent physiological feedback, reducing the need for complex external control mechanisms and simplifying the overall system while maintaining high treatment precision.
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and/or methods for treating sleep disordered breathing may include stimulation of a single nerve, multiple nerves, as well as other tissues relating to upper airway patency.