Self-regulating Neck Stimulation for Sleep Apnea
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for Obstructive Sleep Apnea, such as CPAP and electrical stimulation devices, face limitations including nasal congestion, noise, and lack of automatic adjustment to individual patient morphology and apnea severity, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A self-regulating muscular stimulation system that uses adjustable electrical signals to adapt to each patient's specific morphology and apnea characteristics, incorporating a neck piece with a microphone to detect acoustic signals and an actuation module to control the intensity and frequency of electrical stimuli, allowing for portable and continuous treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If CPAP device is used to treat sleep apnea, then continuous treatment effectiveness is improved, but patient comfort deteriorates due to nasal congestion, skin irritation, dry throat, noise, and cold air
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful nasal mask component from the treatment system and replaces it with electrode-based stimulation applied to the neck/throat area. This removes the source of nasal congestion, skin irritation, and dry throat while maintaining the therapeutic effect through electrical stimulation of the genioglossus muscle
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical CPAP system (turbine, mask, air pressure delivery) with an electrical stimulation system. Instead of using mechanical air pressure to keep airways open, the system uses electrical impulses to stimulate muscle contraction, thereby eliminating noise and cold air issues while maintaining treatment effectiveness
2Reliability
If surgical techniques are used to treat sleep apnea, then treatment effectiveness is improved for resistant cases, but treatment complexity and risk increase due to aggressive procedures and multiple interventions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a self-regulating electrical stimulation system that automatically adjusts stimulation parameters based on detected apnea events. The system monitors breathing patterns and delivers stimulation only when needed, eliminating the need for complex surgical interventions while maintaining effective treatment through adaptive, patient-specific control
3Device complexity
If fixed-parameter electrical stimulation devices are used, then device simplicity is improved, but treatment adaptability deteriorates due to inability to adjust to individual patient morphology and apnea severity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic parameter adjustment where stimulation frequency and intensity are automatically modified based on real-time detection of apnea events and patient response. The system transitions from static fixed parameters to adaptive dynamic parameters that evolve with each treatment session, optimizing effectiveness for individual patient morphology and apnea severity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor treatment response and use this information to adjust stimulation parameters. The system detects apnea events, applies stimulation, and uses the outcome to refine subsequent stimulation delivery, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to individual patient needs while maintaining manageable device complexity
4Adaptability or versatility
If automatic adjustment systems are implemented, then treatment adaptability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a multi-functional device that combines apnea detection, electrical stimulation delivery, and automatic parameter adjustment in a single integrated system. The same hardware components serve multiple functions: electrodes detect breathing patterns and deliver stimulation, while the control unit performs both monitoring and adjustment tasks, thereby achieving high adaptability without proportionally increasing device complexity or cost
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 effectively strengthens muscles to keep airways open, reduces treatment side effects, and provides personalized, adaptive therapy, improving patient comfort and treatment efficacy while minimizing nasal congestion and noise issues.
Implementation Method 1
a central device with an acoustic signal processing module and an actuation module
Implementation Method 2
electrical stimulation by means of applying electrodes in the jaw portion of a patient, in order to prevent sleep apnea
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 2c~3
AI summary
Electric stimulation method and system for treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) Syndrome using an external actuator on the pharyngeal-laryngeal muscles. Using this actuator, the muscles involved receive an electric stimulus, with the aim of widening the muscular opening and attaining sufficient air flow to prevent the lack of air. Said stimulus only acts in the event of an apnea episode being detected, by means of analyzing sound patterns of the upper airways. Both detection and treatment are self-regulatory, in order to adapt to the patient's morphology and the evolution of the condition or problem.