Multiple stimulation electrodes
US5281219A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 24, 1992 |
| Grant date | Jan 25, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 24, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N1/3601
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A technique for reducing fatigue associated with artificially stimulated contractions of muscle tissue. The stimulation of the muscle tissue is associated with treatment of a particular medical condition, such as obstructive sleep apnea. For this application, the muscles of the upper airway are stimulated to relieve or prevent obstruction to normal respiratory activity during sleep. Fatigue is reduced by stimulating the subject muscles from multiple rather than a single electrode. This ensures that successive depolarizations are not produced from the same focus, and that different motor units are successively depolarized. Each electrode is placed at the muscle nerve interface to recruit the assistance of the nerve tissue in conducting the stimulation signals throughout the muscle. The conductors coupling the individual electrodes share a common cable structure to produce ease in the implant procedure. The electronics of the stimulation pulse generator is conveniently demultiplexed to eliminate excess hardware.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.