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:
Dec. 26, 2006
Filed:
Apr. 21, 2003
Gary W. King, Fridley, MN (US);
Marcus J. Mianulli, Plymouth, MN (US);
Michael R. S. Hill, Minneapolis, MN (US);
Thomas J. Mullen, Ham Lake, MN (US);
Roy L. Testerman, New Hope, MN (US);
John E. Burnes, Andover, MN (US);
Xiaohong Zhou, Plymouth, MN (US);
Gary W. King, Fridley, MN (US);
Marcus J. Mianulli, Plymouth, MN (US);
Michael R. S. Hill, Minneapolis, MN (US);
Thomas J. Mullen, Ham Lake, MN (US);
Roy L. Testerman, New Hope, MN (US);
John E. Burnes, Andover, MN (US);
Xiaohong Zhou, Plymouth, MN (US);
Medtronic, Inc., Minneapolis, MN (US);
Abstract
Neurostimulation is delivered to one or more predetermined locations on or within a patient in order to treat effects of sleep apnea by modulating autonomic nervous activity. Delivery of neurostimulation at predetermined locations can decrease sympathetic nervous activity and/or increase parasympathetic nervous activity, countering the increased intrinsic sympathetic activity associated with apnea-arousal cycles. In some embodiments, neurostimulation is delivered to the spinal cord of the patient via an implanted electrode. In other embodiments, neurostimulation is delivered transcutaneously to the spinal cord or other locations via electrodes located on the surface of the patient. In some embodiments, delivery of neurostimulation is initiated or modified in response to detection of apneas.