US5123425A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Obstructive sleep apnea collar
Assignee: EDENTEC A CORP OF
•
Filing: 1990-09-06
•
Granted: 1992-06-23
•
Expires: 2010-09-06
Abstract
Abstract A system for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea packaged in a collar which can be worn by a patient without any special preparation. The collar is adjustable using a fastener such as hook and latch, to accommodate variations in neck size. The collar is properly oriented using variations in physical shape and/or color. An optional feedback system permits the patient to readily verify proper orientation. The collar contains at least one sensor to monitor functioning of the respiratory system of the patient. The output of the sensor(s) is processed by battery powered electronics located within or in proximity to the collar. When an apnea episode is detected, the electronics module generates bursts of pulsatile current which are conducted to electrodes located on and positioned by the collar or in proximity to the collar. The pulsatile current is transferred transcutaneously from the electrodes to the nerves innervating the genioglossus and other muscle groups causing them to contract or through afferent excitation causing reflexive contraction of these muscles to thereby clear the upper air passageway.
Inventors
- 👤 John L. Shannon, Jr.
- 👤 Bruce R. Bowman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 09:00
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/48; A61B5/4806; A61B5/4818; A61B5/103; A61B5/11; A61B5/113; A61F; A61F5/00; A61F5/56; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/3601
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
An apparatus for treating obstruction of an upper air passageway of a patient comprising: a. means for sensing the onset of an obstructive sleep apnea episode; b. means coupled to said sensing means for generating muscle stimulating signals which directly produce contraction of muscle tissue of said upper air passageway; c. electrode means coupled to said generating means for transcutaneously transferring said muscle stimulating signals directly to said muscle tissue of said upper air passaageway to clear said upper air passageway of said patient; and d. means attached to said sensing means, said generating means, and said electrode means for maintaining said sensing means, said generating means, and said electrode means in proximity with said patient.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
116 words
An apparatus for treating obstruction of an upper air passageway of a patient comprising: a. means for sensing the onset of an obstructive sleep apnea episode; b. means coupled to said sensing means for generating muscle stimulating signals which directly produce contraction of muscle tissue of said upper air passageway; c. electrode means coupled to said generating means for transcutaneously transferring said muscle stimulating signals directly to said muscle tissue of said upper air passaageway to clear said upper air passageway of said patient; and d. means attached to said sensing means, said generating means, and said electrode means for maintaining said sensing means, said generating means, and said electrode means in proximity with said patient.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim further comprising means coupled to said maintaining means for positioning said maintaining means with respect to said patient.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said maintaining means further comprises a collar.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said sensing means further comprises an audio sensor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said sensing means further comprises a strain gauge.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said sensing means further comprises an oximeter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said sensing means further comprises an air flowmeter.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
30 words
An apparatus according to claims 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 wherein said positioning means further comprises a unique shape of said maintaining means for positioning said maintaining means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said unique shape further comprises a chin notch.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 9 further comprising means coupled to said generating means for verifying proper placement of said maintaining means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said unique shape further comprises at least one shoulder notch.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 11 further comprising means coupled to said generating means for verifying proper placement of said maintaining means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 8 further comprising means coupled to said generating means for verifying proper placement of said maintaining means.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claims 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 wherein said positioning means further comprises a unique color.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 14 further comprising means coupled to said generating means for verifying proper placement of said maintaining means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3032029A
Cited
US2999232A
Cited
US3480010A
Cited
US3593703A
Cited
US3696377A
Cited
US3998209A
Cited
US4220142A
Cited
US4304227A
Cited
US4440160A
Cited
US4593686A
Cited
US4669477A
Cited
US4715367A
Cited
US4830008A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-06-23 | 1995-12-23 | 1996-06-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-06-23 | 1999-12-23 | 2000-06-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-06-23 | 2003-12-23 | 2004-06-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |