The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 05, 2002
Filed:
Mar. 20, 2001
Frances J. R. Richmond, South Pasadena, CA (US);
Gerald E. Loeb, South Pasadena, CA (US);
Advanced Bionics Corporation, Sylmar, CA (US);
Abstract
Electrodes are implanted at strategic locations within a patient and are then controlled in a manner so as to stimulate muscle and nerve tissue in a constructive manner which helps open blocked airways. In a preferred method, at least one microstimulator treats sleep apnea in an open loop fashion by providing electrical stimulation pulses in a rhythm or cycle having a period corresponding approximately to the natural respiratory rhythm of the patient. Such open loop stimulation entrains the patient's respiratory rate to follow the pattern set by the microstimulator so that stimulation is applied to open the airway during a period of inspiration by the patient.