Adjustable devices for treating sleep apnea, and associated systems and methods
Inventors
Herron, David • Tong, Ling-Kang • Nguyen, Hoa D. • Lee, Chang Yeul
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11491324-B2
Publication Date
2022-11-08
Expiration Date
Abstract
Intraoral electrical stimulation devices are disclosed. A representative device, which can be used to treat sleep apnea, includes an intraoral attachment body, a guide element carried by the attachment body and having a constrained guide path, and an electrode movably supported relative to the guide element and movable along the constrained guide path to a plurality of positions. A positioning member is coupleable to the electrode to move the electrode along the constrained guide path, and a signal generator is coupleable to the electrode to direct a stimulation signal to the electrode.
Core Innovation
The disclosed invention relates to an intraoral electrical stimulation device for obstructive sleep apnea. The device includes an intraoral attachment body and a guide element carried by the attachment body, where the guide element has a constrained guide path. An electrode is movably supported relative to the guide element and movable along the constrained guide path to a plurality of positions.
The device further includes a positioning member coupleable to the electrode to move the electrode along the constrained guide path. The electrode is also coupled to a signal generator coupleable to the electrode to direct a stimulation signal to the electrode. The guide element and the electrode are configured to provide adjustable electrode placement along the constrained guide path to enable patient-specific targeting to stimulate structures associated with improving tongue position and upper airway patency.
In some embodiments, the electrode placement can be tested and adjusted using removable handle/test devices and position indicators with indicia corresponding to electrode positions along the guide path. The device can optionally fixate the electrode at a target position along the guide path. A removably attachable insert with molded tooth-fitting surfaces can be provided to fit over a patient's teeth, and the electrode can be supported via flexible resilient extensions with controlled angular characteristics, including roll, pitch, and yaw, and selectable electrode arrays.
Claims Coverage
The document includes two independent claims. Across the independent claims, the coverage centers on an intraoral attachment body, a constrained guide path, an electrode movable to multiple positions along that path via a positioning member, and coupling to a stimulation signal generator; one independent claim specifies a signal generator without limiting it to extraoral, while the other specifies an extraoral signal generator.
Constrained guide path for movable intraoral electrode
An electrode movably supported relative to a guide element and movable along a constrained guide path to a plurality of positions, where the guide element is carried by an intraoral attachment body.
Positioning member coupled to move electrode along constrained guide path
A positioning member coupleable to the electrode to move the electrode along the constrained guide path.
Stimulation signal generator coupleable to electrode
A signal generator coupleable to the electrode to direct a stimulation signal to the electrode, with an intraoral attachment body and constrained guide path as recited.
Extraoral signal generator coupled to electrode
An extraoral signal generator coupleable to the electrode to direct a stimulation signal to the electrode, in combination with an intraoral attachment body having a guide element with at least one constrained guide path and an electrode movable along the at least one constrained guide path to a plurality of positions via a positioning member.
The independent claims cover intraoral electrical stimulation devices that combine an intraoral attachment body, a guide element providing a constrained guide path, an electrode movable to multiple positions along that constrained path via a positioning member, and coupling to a stimulation signal generator. One independent claim recites a signal generator coupleable to the electrode, and the other recites an extraoral signal generator coupleable to the electrode.
Stated Advantages
Enables adjustable and testable electrode placement for patient-specific targeting to stimulate structures associated with improving tongue position and upper airway patency.
Documented Applications
Use in treating obstructive sleep apnea using non-invasive intraoral electrical stimulation to stimulate hypoglossal/genioglossus-related structures to improve tongue position/patency.
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