Respiration-Synchronized Implantable Cranial Nerve Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing treatments for disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea, heart failure, hypertension, epilepsy, depression, and other craniofacial conditions lack minimally invasive neuromodulation systems that can accurately detect respiratory cycles with minimal power consumption and provide targeted neural stimulation.
Innovation Solution
An implantable neuromodulation system is positioned in the anterior cervical region, utilizing sensors like accelerometers to detect respiratory cycles and deliver coordinated stimulation to cranial nerves like the hypoglossal, vagus, and trigeminal nerves, with electrodes and leads anchored to cervical tissues for stability and precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external or implanted muscle stimulation devices are used to treat sleep apnea, then treatment efficacy is improved, but device complexity and invasiveness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single implantable device: respiratory cycle detection, neural stimulation delivery, and coordinated control logic are integrated into one system. The device merges sensing capabilities (detecting respiratory phases) with therapeutic delivery (neural stimulation) to treat sleep apnea, eliminating the need for separate external control systems and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining treatment efficacy.
Solution Approach 2:
The implantable device performs multiple functions: it detects respiratory cycles, determines inspiration phases, delivers coordinated neural stimulation to multiple cranial nerves, and adapts therapy based on detected physiological states. This multi-functional approach replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate devices, reducing invasiveness while improving treatment reliability through coordinated multi-modal therapy.
2Measurement precision
If coordinated neural stimulation is provided during inspiration phase detection, then treatment precision is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device delivers neural stimulation in periodic bursts coordinated with the detected respiratory cycle phases, specifically during inspiration. Rather than continuous stimulation, the system uses periodic pulsed delivery synchronized to physiological rhythms, which reduces average power consumption while maintaining precise therapeutic effect during the critical inspiration phase when airway collapse occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors respiratory cycle phases and uses this feedback to dynamically control stimulation timing and intensity. By detecting actual respiratory states and adjusting stimulation delivery accordingly, the device achieves high treatment precision only when needed (during inspiration phase), avoiding unnecessary power consumption during expiration or transition phases when stimulation is less effective.
3Measurement precision
If implantable devices with sensors are used, then treatment accuracy is improved, but invasiveness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates sensing elements and therapeutic delivery components into a single implantable unit, reducing the number of separate invasive procedures needed. The device combines respiratory cycle detection sensors with neural stimulation electrodes and control circuitry in one implantable package, minimizing surgical intervention while maintaining high measurement precision for respiratory phase detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The implantable device autonomously performs respiratory cycle detection, processes sensor data to identify inspiration phases, and delivers coordinated neural stimulation without requiring external monitoring or control. This self-service capability eliminates the need for external sensor arrays and control systems, reducing overall invasiveness while maintaining high detection accuracy through integrated sensing and processing.
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 treats conditions like OSA by detecting respiratory phases and providing targeted neuromodulation, enhancing treatment efficacy with minimal power consumption and reduced invasiveness.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing sensors like accelerometers to detect respiratory cycles
Implementation Method 2
deliver coordinated stimulation to cranial nerves like the hypoglossal, vagus, and trigeminal nerves, with electrodes and leads anchored to cervical tissues
Data Source
AI summary
Neurostimulation therapy can be efficiently controlled based on information from an acceleration signal, such as can be obtained from an accelerometer. In an example, the accelerometer can be implanted in a cervical region or submandibular region of a patient. Circuitry can be configured to identify a first series of respiration phase transition events in the acceleration signal and, in response, provide the neurostimulation therapy synchronously with an inspiration phase of a patient's respiratory cycle. In an example, in absence of identifying the first series of respiration phase transition events in the acceleration signal, the neurostimulation therapy can be provided asynchronously with the patient's respiratory cycle.