Ric Investments, Inc.

Respironics, Inc.

Koninklijke Philips Corporation N.V.

Stefanie Lattner

Douglas M Mechlenburg

Eugene Nelson Scarberry

Eric William Starr

Michael Edward Colbaugh

Zachary Dean Paul

Benjamin Alfred Giovannelli

Michael Cessna

Todd Kirby

William H Broadley

Kevin Wells

Al Vangura

Peter Chi Fai Ho

Steven B Radney

Mark DiMatteo

Stefanida K Blake

Patrick Devinney

A vestibular stimulation system and method that includes a housing, a power supply disposed in the housing, an electrode assembly adapted to be coupled to the housing, and a controller disposed in the housing and operatively coupled to the power supply. The controller controls the delivery of energy from the power supply to the electrode assembly. An input element is also disposed on an exterior surface of the housing. The input element is manually manipulated to control the operation of the vestibular stimulation system. A display disposed on an exterior surface of the housing provides visual information regarding the operation of the vestibular stimulation system. A mounting assembly is coupled to the housing to mount the housing on such a user.

Vestibular stimulation system

The present disclosure describes a system configured to stimulate a vestibular system of a user while the user is in a sleeping position. The system comprises a housing; a power supply; an electrode assembly; a controller that controls stimulation of the vestibular system through delivery of energy from the power supply to the electrode assembly; an input element configured to control operation of the system; an auditory output device that provides auditory output to the user, wherein the auditory output is synchronized with the stimulation of the vestibular system to enhance an effect of the stimulation; a mounting assembly for mounting the housing on the user; and a sensor adapted to generate an output signal related to a physiological parameter of the user, wherein the controller controls the electrode assembly to cease delivery of the energy responsive to the output signal indicating that the user is leaving the sleeping position.

An apparatus and method in which the portions of the labyrinth associated with the labyrinthine sense and/or the nerves associated therewith are stimulated to perform at least one of the following functions: augment or control a patient's respiratory function, open the patient's airway, induce sleep, and/or counteract vertigo. In one embodiment, the vestibular stimulating system of the present invention includes 1) a stimulation element that performs the actual stimulation of the tissue, 2) a sensor to detect a physiological condition of the patient, and 3) a power/control unit that receives the signals provided by the sensor and causes stimulation energy to be provided to the stimulation element at an appropriate timing, level, pattern, and/or frequency to achieve the desired function. However, the present invention also contemplates eliminating the sensor in favor of applying a predetermined pattern of stimulation to the patient.

Vestibular stimulation system and method

Apparatus for the non-invasive and specific activation of the vestibular system in a patient. Preferred embodiments of the present invention allow for the placement of a stimulating electrode in the ear canal while providing a firm and comfortable coupling with the patient. The stimulating electrode is a deformable material that contacts the skin in the ear canal. A stimulating device operates in cooperation with the stimulating electrode to generate a stimulation waveform for the stimulation of the vestibular system.

Vestibular system stimulation apparatus

An intraoral electromuscular stimulation device and method to treat a breathing disorder. The stimulation device includes a first electrode, a first support member that maintains the first electrode in a sublingual location posterior to a frenulum and proximate to one of a first molar, a second molar and a third molar of a patient. A second electrode is maintained in a sublingual position posterior relative to the first electrode by a second support member. A further embodiment of the stimulation device includes a sensor that detects a respiratory parameter of a patient and outputs a signal indicative thereof. A control unit receives the signal from the sensor, distinguishes between inspiration and expiration, and initiates an electrical stimulation at a stimulation time prior to onset of inspiration and continues stimulation through a portion of inspiration at a level sufficient to induce muscle contraction without pain.

Intraoral electromuscular stimulation device and method

Intraoral electromuscular stimulating device and method

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Gibsonia, PA, United States of America

Stefanie Lattner