Obstructive sleep apnea treatment devices, systems and methods

US8428727B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Apnex Medical, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Stephen L. Bolea · Watertown, US
• Thomas B. Hoegh · Edina, US
• Bruce J. Persson · Dresser, US
• Robert E. Atkinson · White Bear Lake, US
• Sidney F. Hauschild · Cottage Grove, US
• Paula M. Kaplan · Windom, US
• Brian D. Kuhnley · Delano, US
• Keith E. Jasperson · Andover, US
• Wondimeneh Tesfayesus · Windom, US
• Christopher Thorp · Chanhassen, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 25, 2011
• Grant date: Apr 23, 2013
• Expiry date: Apr 25, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B5/7239
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

In one embodiment, a method for maintaining patency of an upper airway of a patient to treat obstructive sleep apnea may include delivering an electrical stimulation to a portion of a superior laryngeal nerve via a nerve cuff when the nerve cuff is adjacent an external surface of the superior laryngeal nerve, the nerve cuff having a plurality of electrodes, wherein the nerve cuff is configured to be connected to an electrical stimulator via a stimulation lead.