Portable Electrical Stimulation Apparatus for Snoring and Sleep Apnea
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea are often invasive, cumbersome, or require sophisticated monitoring, and existing devices fail to provide effective, non-fatiguing, continuous treatment suitable for long-term use.
Innovation Solution
A portable, battery-powered apparatus with a pair of electrodes that generates a discontinuous electrical signal of 1-100 Hz, allowing for continuous treatment without muscle fatigue, featuring a stimulation-free period and adjustable parameters to accommodate individual patient needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If continuous electrical stimulation is applied to treat snoring and sleep apnoea, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but muscle fatigue occurs reducing long-term efficacy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic electrical stimulation with alternating active and rest phases. The controller switches between delivering electrical signals to stimulate throat muscles and providing rest periods without stimulation. This periodic action prevents muscle fatigue while maintaining treatment effectiveness throughout the night, directly resolving the contradiction between continuous treatment need and muscle fatigue prevention.
2Measurement precision
If sophisticated monitoring systems are used to detect snoring or sleep apnoea indicators, then treatment precision is improved, but device complexity and portability are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the sophisticated monitoring component from the treatment device. Instead of incorporating complex sensors and detection systems, the invention uses a simplified approach where the controller directly provides electrical signals based on pre-determined timing cycles. This extraction of the monitoring function reduces device complexity and enables portability while maintaining effective treatment through periodic stimulation.
3Measurement precision
If wired connection to monitoring machine is required, then detection accuracy is improved, but ease of operation and home use suitability are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service approach where the treatment device operates autonomously without requiring external monitoring equipment or wired connections. The controller internally manages the electrical signal delivery based on programmed timing cycles, making the device portable and suitable for home use. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex external monitoring systems while providing effective treatment.
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 apparatus provides effective, long-term treatment for snoring and sleep apnea without causing muscle fatigue, ensuring continuous therapy throughout the night while being lightweight and non-invasive, with adjustable settings for optimal patient comfort and effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a power supply which generates an electrical signal between the electrodes, wherein the signal has a frequency of 1-100 Hz and is discontinuous
Data Source
AI summary
A portable, battery powered apparatus (10) generates an electrical signal between electrodes (15a, 15b) to be applied to the skin of a patient for reduction or prevention of snoring or obstructive sleep apnoea. The signal comprises electrical stimulation at a frequency of 1-100 Hz and the signal comprises a stimulation free period of at least 0.5 seconds every 20 seconds, avoiding muscle fatigue when used for long periods, e.g. overnight.