Apparatus and method for treating obstructive sleep apnea
US11759636B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 5, 2020 |
| Grant date | Sep 19, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 10, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N1/0456
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus and method for treating obstructive sleep apnea includes a pulse oximeter, a source of transcutaneous electrical stimulation having a pair of electrodes for delivering TES to a person, and a controller. The electrodes are adapted to be applied to the person's skin adjacent the person's upper airway to stimulate one or more nerves or muscles in the upper airway when TES is applied to the electrodes. The controller is adapted to receive blood oxygen data from the pulse oximeter and is programmed to apply TES when the blood oxygen indicates that the person's blood oxygen is below a predetermined threshold, so as to increase a resting tone of the person's tongue.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.