Livanova Usa, Inc.

Medtronic, Inc.

Cyberonics, Inc.

Apnex Medical, Inc.

Paula M Kaplan

Stephen L Bolea

Robert E Atkinson

Sidney F Hauschild

Thomas Barry Hoegh

Bruce J Persson

Wondimeneh Tesfayesus

Brian D Kuhnley

John P Beck

Dale G Suilmann

Adam K Hoyhtya

Keith E Jasperson

Christopher K Thorp

Peter R Eastwood

David R Hillman

Mary M Morris

Sean Patrick Skubitz

James M Olsen

Thomas E Cross, Jr

An implantable neurostimulation system comprises a stimulation delivery lead and a neurostimulator. The stimulation delivery lead is coupled to an electrode. The neurostimulator is adapted to deliver a neurostimulation signal to the subject and comprises a microprocessor. The microprocessor is programmed to identify a stimulation operating window for the therapy including a first threshold and a second threshold. The second threshold comprises an awake level and an asleep level. Identifying the stimulation operating window comprises titrating a stimulation setting of the neurostimulator while the subject is awake until the first threshold and the awake level of the second threshold are identified. Identifying the stimulation operating window further comprises subsequently repeating the step of titrating the stimulation setting of the neurostimulator while the subject is asleep until the asleep level of the second threshold is identified.

Obstructive sleep apnea treatment devices, systems and methods

Devices, systems and methods of neurostimulation for treating obstructive sleep apnea.

Devices, systems and methods for nerve stimulation for OSA therapy.

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.

A medical system for electrical stimulation includes a first column of electrodes, a second column of electrodes, an expandable member disposed between first and second columns, and an expansion mechanism adapted to transmit an externally applied pressure to the expandable member. The pressure expands the expandable member in order to force the first column of electrodes apart from the second column of electrodes. The first and second columns, disposed side-by-side, may be inserted through a percutaneous needle and into a epidural space, alongside a spinal cord; after insertion, the first column may be forced apart from the second column by applying the pressure to the expandable member.

Expandable systems for medical electrical stimulation

An implantable lead has a lead body construction designed to accommodate loading forces exerted on the lead body during patient movement. The lead body may be sufficiently stretchable to resist forces that could otherwise cause lead failure, axial migration of the electrodes, anchor damage, or tissue damage. Increasing stretchability of a lead body can also increase the vulnerability of the lead body to flex fatigue, buckling fatigue, kinking, and crush. Therefore, the lead described herein includes conductors that comprise coiled wires positioned substantially parallel to a center axis of the lead. The conductors described herein may be coiled around fibers that limit the axial stiffness of the coiled wires to ensure full recovery from axial loading.

Implantable medical lead with axially oriented coiled wire conductors

Growing community of inventors

Saint Paul, MN, United States of America

Paula M Kaplan