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:
May. 04, 2010
Filed:
Jul. 18, 2003
Stefanie Lattner, Gibsonia, PA (US);
Eric W Starr, Allison Park, PA (US);
Eugene N Scarberry, Trafford, PA (US);
Douglas M Mechlenburg, Pittsburgh, PA (US);
Stefanie Lattner, Gibsonia, PA (US);
Eric W Starr, Allison Park, PA (US);
Eugene N Scarberry, Trafford, PA (US);
Douglas M Mechlenburg, Pittsburgh, PA (US);
RIC Investments, LLC, Wilmington, DE (US);
Abstract
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.