Cranial nerve stimulation to treat a vocal cord disorder
US7840280B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 27, 2005 |
| Grant date | Nov 23, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 9, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N1/0456
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Disclosed is a method of treating a patient having a vocal cord disorder, comprising coupling at least one electrode to at least one cranial nerve of the patient, wherein the cranial nerve is selected from the group consisting of a vagus nerve, a trigeminal nerve, and a glossopharyngeal nerve, and applying an electrical signal to the cranial nerve using the electrode to treat the vocal cord disorder. The electrode may be coupled to a branch of the vagus nerve selected from the group consisting of a recurrent laryngeal nerve, the external branch of a superior laryngeal nerve, the internal branch of a superior laryngeal nerve, and a pharyngeal plexus. Also disclosed is a computer readable program storage device encoded with instructions that, when executed by a computer, perform the method, and a medical device and a vocal cord disorder treatment system that may be used in performance of the method.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.