Method and apparatus for detecting and treating obstructive sleep apnea
US5540733A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 21, 1994 |
| Grant date | Jul 30, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 21, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N1/3601
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method for treating obstructive sleep apnea in a patient by electrical stimulation of muscles of the upper airway includes detecting an obstructive apnea and then stimulating muscles of the upper airway in response to the apnea. The apnea is detected by monitoring changes in a respiratory effort waveform of the patient for a parameter characteristic of the patient's level of respiratory effort which is averaged over successive respiratory cycles to provide a baseline average. A limit value is then generated from the baseline average and the value for the parameter is compared with the limit value. If the limit value is exceeded, an apnea event is detected. Electrical stimulation can then be applied to a muscle of the upper airway upon detection of the apnea at a level which restores patency to the airway.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.