Tongue Muscle Composition Sensing for Sleep Apnea Stimulation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing treatments for sleep disordered breathing, such as continuous positive airway pressure devices and mandibular advancement devices, require regular use during sleep and may cause discomfort, while invasive nerve stimulators have maintenance and complication risks, and do not address the underlying cause of the condition.
Innovation Solution
A device that detects muscle composition of the oral cavity, particularly the tongue, and applies electrical stimulation to improve muscle function, allowing for tailored stimulation plans based on muscle composition changes, without requiring continuous use during sleep.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If continuous positive airway pressure devices or mandibular advancement devices are used to treat sleep disordered breathing, then the breathing passage is kept open, but the devices cause discomfort and require regular use during sleep which reduces compliance
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs preliminary action by training and strengthening oral muscles during awake hours through electrical stimulation. This pre-conditioning of muscles improves their tone and function before sleep, so the breathing passage remains more stable during sleep without requiring continuous mechanical support from CPAP or mandibular devices, thereby reducing the need for regular nighttime device use and improving compliance
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical system (CPAP pressure or mandibular advancement) with a physiological system (electrical muscle stimulation). Instead of mechanically forcing the airway open during sleep, the device uses electrical stimulation to activate and strengthen the muscles that naturally maintain airway patency, substituting mechanical support with enhanced physiological function
2Reliability
If implantable electrical nerve stimulators are used to treat obstructive sleep apnoea, then tongue contraction relieves obstructive events, but the approach involves intrusive surgery and maintenance complications
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses an intermediary approach by stimulating muscles through the mucosal surface rather than directly implanting electrodes into nerves. The electrical stimulation device applies current through the oral mucosa to activate tongue muscles, serving as an intermediary between external application and internal muscle activation, thereby achieving obstruction relief without intrusive surgery or implantable components
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the stimulation function from the nerve itself and applies it to the muscle directly. Instead of implanting electrodes on the hypoglossal nerve to stimulate contraction reflexively, the device applies electrical stimulation directly to the tongue muscles through the mucosa, separating the stimulation mechanism from the nervous system and eliminating the need for surgical implantation
3Reliability
If electrical stimulation is applied to improve tongue muscle function, then muscle tone and responsiveness increase, but the treatment requires tailored stimulation plans based on individual muscle composition
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates feedback by measuring tongue muscle composition (such as muscle mass, fat content, or water content) and using this information to automatically adjust stimulation parameters. The system continuously monitors muscle characteristics and modifies the electrical stimulation intensity, frequency, or duration to optimize muscle function improvement while simplifying the treatment process for the user
Solution Approach 2:
The invention dynamically changes stimulation parameters (intensity, frequency, pulse duration) based on measured muscle composition parameters. The device adjusts these electrical parameters in real-time or between treatment sessions according to the individual's muscle characteristics, enabling personalized treatment without requiring manual programming by the user, thus managing complexity automatically
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 device effectively reduces sleep disordered breathing events by enhancing muscle tone and responsiveness, providing a non-invasive and user-friendly solution that adapts to individual muscle changes over time.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor is configured to measure the composition of the tongue of the user
Implementation Method 2
providing, in use, via the electrode electrical stimulation to one or more oral muscles, e.g. tongue muscle and optionally palate muscles, through the lining of the mouth
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for applying electrical stimulation to one or more muscles of the mouth of a user. The apparatus comprises one or more electrodes for applying electrical stimulation to one or more muscles of the mouth of a user. The apparatus also comprises a sensing assembly configured or configurable to determine or measure, in use, the tongue composition of the tongue of the user.