Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090038623 | INDUCTIVE POWER TRANSFER SYSTEM FOR PALATAL IMPLANT - An inductive power transfer system associated with an airway implant device is disclosed. A non-implanted portion of the system comprises a mouthpiece or retainer. The mouthpiece includes a power transfer circuit and a power source. The power transfer circuit includes a receive circuit configured to receive a first inductive power transfer from a charging device and to deliver a charging current to the power source. The power transfer circuit also includes a transmit circuit coupled to the power source. The transmit circuit is configured to provide a second inductive power transfer from the mouthpiece to the airway implant. Some embodiments of the non-implanted portion include a charge controller and a lithium polymer battery. Some embodiments of the charging device include a microcontroller for controlling operation of the charging device based on a proximity of the mouthpiece. | 02-12-2009 |
20090069866 | IMPLANT TESTER - An implant testing device and a method of detecting an airway implant are disclosed. The testing device detects the presence of the implant within a patient's body and can be used to determine its location. The testing device also provides an indication of proper function of the implant electronics. A detector circuit of the testing device generates an output signal representative of proximity of the airway implant. A processing circuit receives the output signal and determines proximity of the implant based on one or more detection thresholds. The processing circuit also provides a visual and/or audible alert. In some embodiments, the processing circuit varies the flash rate of one or more light emitting diodes and/or the pitch of an alert tone based on proximity of the implant. Various embodiments of the testing device are adapted for handheld use and can include a handle, elongated portion, and detector element. | 03-12-2009 |
20090078257 | Auto-Titration of Positive Airway Pressure Machine With Feedback From Implantable Sensor - Systems and methods for detecting and treating an obstructive sleep apnea event are disclosed herein. The systems and methods may use an electrical output generating ionic polymer metal composite sensor attached to a region in an airway passage in an oral cavity. The electrical output may be wirelessly transmitted as a signal for indication of an obstructive sleep apnea event. The signal may be further analyzed by a positive airway pressure system for treatment of the obstructive sleep apnea event. | 03-26-2009 |
20090078273 | Smart Mandibular Repositioning System - Systems and methods for detecting an obstructive sleep apnea event are disclosed herein. The systems and methods may use an electrical output generating ionic polymer metal composite sensor attached to a region in an airway passage in an oral cavity. The electrical output may be wirelessly transmitted as a signal for indication of an obstructive sleep apnea event. The signal may be further processed by a smart mandibular repositioning system for treatment of the obstructive sleep apnea event. | 03-26-2009 |
20090078274 | Implantable Obstructive Sleep Apnea Sensor - Systems and methods for detecting an obstructive sleep apnea event are disclosed herein. The systems and methods may use an electrical output generating ionic polymer metal composite sensor attached to a region in an airway passage in an oral cavity. The electrical output may be wirelessly transmitted as a signal for indication of an obstructive sleep apnea event. The signal may be further analyzed for treatment of the obstructive sleep apnea event. | 03-26-2009 |
20090165803 | ON-OFF IMPLANT FOR SUPPORTING THE TONGUE - The present invention provides an implant for stabilizing the tongue, including: a first anchoring portion for securing a first end of the implant with the mandibula; a control portion connected with the anchoring portion, configured for selectively activating the implant; a flexible portion connected at its proximal end with the control portion, the flexible portion having three-dimensional flexibility in a non-energized state and the flexible portion having a lesser three-dimensional flexibility in a energized state, the flexible portion being selectively switchable between the non-energized and energized states by the control portion, wherein the flexible portion can be an electroactive polymer element having: a composite layer having a polymer substrate and a biocompatible conductive material, wherein the composite layer also can be opposing surfaces; and a conductive polymer layer disposed on at least one of the opposing surfaces of the composite layer; and a second anchoring portion connected with the flexible portion, the second anchoring portion being configured for connecting the implant with the base of the tongue. Some embodiments include a housing designed to conform to the shape of the palate. Some embodiments include an attachment element to secure the device to tissue. Methods of treating airway disorders such as sleep apnea and snoring with the airway implant device are disclosed herein. | 07-02-2009 |
20090173351 | CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A TONGUE STABILIZATION DEVICE - A tongue implant control system and methods for stabilizing the tongue are disclosed. The tongue implant control system includes an implant device and a non-implanted control device in wireless communication. The control device provides an inductive power transfer for operating the implant device. The control device also sends commands for changing a state of the implant device. The implant device includes a flexible portion for attachment to the tongue and to one or more actuators. The one or more actuators may include shape memory material. The implant device detects a command from the control device and powers an actuator based on the command. Optionally, the implant device communicates its operating state to the control device and the control device displays information about the implant device at a user interface. | 07-09-2009 |
20090173352 | ON-OFF IMPLANT FOR SUPPORTING THE AIRWAY - The present invention provides an airway implant device having an electroactive polymer element, including: a composite layer having a polymer substrate and a biocompatible conductive material, wherein the composite layer also can be opposing surfaces; and a conductive polymer layer disposed on at least one of the opposing surfaces of the composite layer, wherein the implant device is adapted and configured to modulate an opening of an air passageway. Some embodiments include a housing designed to conform to the shape of the palate. Some embodiments include an attachment element to secure the device to tissue. Methods of treating airway disorders such as sleep apnea and snoring with the airway implant device are disclosed herein. | 07-09-2009 |
20090259093 | ARTIFICIAL SPHINCTER WITH PIEZOELECTRIC ACTUATOR - A biologically implantable artificial sphincter system and methods of using the same is disclosed. The artificial sphincter system disclosed herein comprises a sphincter band and a piezoelectric element, both of which are adapted and configured for coordinated operation to open and/or close a body cavity. The artificial sphincter systems are useful in the treatment of urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, and reflux disorders. The implanted artificial sphincter can also provide a signal to the recipient to urinate or defecate. | 10-15-2009 |
20100319710 | IMPLANT SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING AIRWAY PASSAGE - Techniques for operating a subcutaneous implant device are disclosed. The implant device can be formed of a non-magnetic material that is compatible with diagnostics such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and can include a rotor element that rotates under the influence of an external magnetic field. The implant device includes a tension relief mechanism for relieving excessive force applied between the implant device and a portion of a patient's tongue. A non-implanted device can include a stator and drive circuitry for generating the external magnetic field. The non-implanted device can receive a user command and can vary the external magnetic field based on the command. When activated by the magnetic field, the implant device can change its operating state to interact with the patient's body. | 12-23-2010 |
20140276352 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING IONTOPHORESIS AT TYMPANIC MEMBRANE - Various systems and methods provide iontophoretic delivery of anesthesia at a patient's tympanic membrane. Some implementations provide channel switching enabling a single current sink to pull current through two electrodes in an alternating fashion based on clock pulses. The iontophoretic delivery of anesthesia may be driven by an AC modulated current. Some implementations provide for continuous flow of fresh iontophoresis fluid to the ear canal during iontophoresis. The fluid flows from a source reservoir into the cavity between the tympanic membrane and a plug, and then drains out of the cavity to a reservoir. An iontophoresis system may also detect capacitance between an anode electrode and an auxiliary electrode in a patient's ear canal, watching for reduced capacitance to indicate presence of a bubble in the iontophoresis fluid. | 09-18-2014 |