Patent · US Expired

Apparatus and method for intra-oral stimulation of the trigeminal nerve

US6954668B1 · kind B1 · utility

116Cited by
11References
17Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateOct 11, 2001
Grant dateOct 11, 2005
Priority date—
Expiry dateDec 16, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61N1/0548
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An apparatus for intra-oral stimulation of the trigeminal nerve includes an energy source that imparts energy to a tooth to stimulate the trigeminal nerve and an attachment portion to secure the energy source in a mouth in proximity to the tooth. Stimulating the trigeminal nerve in this manner has been experimentally shown to induce and/or enhance relaxation and/or sleep without the adverse side effects associated with traditional drug therapies. In one embodiment, the apparatus can be realized as a “cap” having two legs that engage opposing sides of a tooth and a bridge portion spanning the occlusal surface of the tooth to link the legs.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.