MICROSTIMULATION SLEEP DISORDERED BREATHING (SDB) THERAPY DEVICE
An apparatus includes an implantable stimulator to treat sleep disordered breathing (SDB) and at least one electrode associated with the stimulator.
1 . An apparatus comprising:
a microstimulator to treat sleep disordered breathing (SDB); and
at least one electrode associated with the stimulator.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is sized to be fully implantable via a single incision.
3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , comprising a housing in which at least stimulation circuitry of the microstimulator is contained.
4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , comprising:
a housing including a non-conductive material to encapsulate at least stimulation circuitry of the microstimulator.
5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , comprising a housing on which the at least one electrode is located.
6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , comprising a housing to at least partially contain the microstimulator and at least one partially flexible element extending from the housing.
7 . The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the at least one partially flexible element comprises a nerve-engaging portion.
8 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the at least one electrode is located on the nerve-engaging portion.
9 . The apparatus of 8 , wherein the at least one electrode includes a first electrode located on the housing and the at least one electrode located on the at least one nerve-engage element comprises at least one second electrode.
10 . The apparatus of claim 1 , comprising a housing including a nerve-engaging portion having an arcuate shape corresponding to an arcuate outer surface of the nerve.
11 . The apparatus of claim 1 , comprising:
at least one nerve-engaging element extending from the housing to releasably engage a portion of the nerve not engaged by a nerve-contacting portion of a housing of the microstimulator.
12 . The apparatus of claim 1 , comprising:
a sensor associated with the microstimulator.
13 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises at least one of:
a pressure sensor;
an accelerometer;
an impedance sensor;
an ultrasonic sensor;
a radiofrequency sensor;
a non-contact sensor;
an optical sensor;
an acoustic sensor;
an airflow sensor;
an image sensor;
an EMG sensor;
an ECG sensor;
an on-board sensor;
an external sensor including at least one of a wearable sensor, an environment sensor, and a non-contact sensor;
a separately implantable sensor; and
an electrode.
14 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises:
an airway position sensing arrangement;
an airflow sensing arrangement;
an airflow obstruction sensing arrangement;
a sleep disordered breathing (SDB) sensing arrangement to sense at least apneas and hypopneas;
a respiratory sensing arrangement;
a body position sensing arrangement; and
an implant temperature sensing arrangement.
15 . The apparatus of claim 1 , comprising a non-rechargeable power element completely contained within the housing of the stimulator.
16 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the power element comprises a power generating arrangement at least partially contained within the housing of the stimulator.
17 . The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the power generating arrangement comprises a mechanical energy harvesting arrangement.
18 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the microstimulator comprise a re-chargeable power element to power the stimulator, and which is re-chargeable via an external power element.
19 . The apparatus of claim 18 , comprising a patient support to at least partially house the external power element.
20 . The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the external power element comprises a charging function by which externally sensed information is transmittable to the implanted microstimulator
21 - 219 . (canceled)