Respiratory Synchronized Nerve Stimulation for Sleep Apnea
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional nerve stimulation techniques for treating sleep disordered breathing caused by upper airway obstructions often involve continuous stimulation, which may lead to over-stimulation and undesirable long-term effects, and do not effectively target specific phases of the respiratory cycle where obstructions occur.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that apply targeted nerve stimulation during specific intervals of the respiratory cycle, using an implantable pulse generator and sensors to detect respiratory patterns, allowing for synchronized stimulation during inspiratory, expiratory, or mixed phases to maintain upper airway patency while minimizing overall stimulation volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If continuous nerve stimulation is applied to treat sleep disordered breathing, then upper airway patency is maintained, but over-stimulation occurs leading to undesirable long-term effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by delivering nerve stimulation only during specific phases of the respiratory cycle (inspiration, expiration, or mixed phases) rather than continuously. The stimulation is synchronized with respiratory effort detection, activating during targeted intervals and remaining inactive during others, thereby maintaining airway patency while avoiding over-stimulation and its harmful long-term effects.
2Reliability
If continuous nerve stimulation is applied to maintain upper airway patency, then airway openness is ensured, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system reduces energy consumption by implementing periodic stimulation synchronized with the respiratory cycle. The pulse generator remains inactive during non-targeted phases and activates only during specific respiratory intervals when airway support is needed, thereby maintaining patency reliability while significantly reducing overall energy expenditure compared to continuous stimulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback by using sensors to detect respiratory effort and automatically adjust stimulation timing accordingly. The detected respiratory patterns provide real-time information that triggers stimulation only when and where needed in the respiratory cycle, optimizing energy usage while ensuring airway patency is maintained during critical phases.
3Reliability
If conventional continuous stimulation is used, then upper airway support is provided, but specific obstruction phases are not targeted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enhances adaptability by implementing periodic stimulation that can be configured to target specific respiratory phases (inspiration, expiration, or mixed). This allows the system to adapt to different obstruction patterns and phases, providing reliable airway support precisely when needed during the respiratory cycle rather than applying uniform continuous stimulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies dynamics by making the stimulation timing variable and adaptable based on detected respiratory patterns. The pulse generator can dynamically adjust when stimulation occurs within the respiratory cycle, allowing customization for different patient needs and obstruction types, thereby improving both reliability and adaptability compared to fixed continuous stimulation.
Data Source
AI summary
A stimulation protocol determination system includes an input module and a selector module. The input module is provided to receive an indication of an upper airway flow limitation via sensed respiratory effort information. The selection module is provided to automatically select, based on the indicated upper airway flow limitation, a stimulation protocol.