Microstimulation sleep disordered breathing (sdb) therapy device

Abstract

An apparatus includes an implantable stimulator to treat sleep disordered breathing (SDB) and at least one electrode associated with the stimulator.

1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a microstimulator to treat sleep disordered breathing (SDB); and   at least one electrode associated with the stimulator.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is sized to be fully implantable via a single incision. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising a housing in which at least stimulation circuitry of the microstimulator is contained. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a housing including a non-conductive material to encapsulate at least stimulation circuitry of the microstimulator.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising a housing on which the at least one electrode is located. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising a housing to at least partially contain the microstimulator and at least one partially flexible element extending from the housing. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one partially flexible element comprises a nerve-engaging portion. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one electrode is located on the nerve-engaging portion. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  8 , wherein the at least one electrode includes a first electrode located on the housing and the at least one electrode located on the at least one nerve-engage element comprises at least one second electrode. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising a housing including a nerve-engaging portion having an arcuate shape corresponding to an arcuate outer surface of the nerve. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising:
 at least one nerve-engaging element extending from the housing to releasably engage a portion of the nerve not engaged by a nerve-contacting portion of a housing of the microstimulator.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a sensor associated with the microstimulator.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises at least one of:
 a pressure sensor;   an accelerometer;   an impedance sensor;   an ultrasonic sensor;   a radiofrequency sensor;   a non-contact sensor;   an optical sensor;   an acoustic sensor;   an airflow sensor;   an image sensor;   an EMG sensor;   an ECG sensor;   an on-board sensor;   an external sensor including at least one of a wearable sensor, an environment sensor, and a non-contact sensor;   a separately implantable sensor; and   an electrode.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises:
 an airway position sensing arrangement;   an airflow sensing arrangement;   an airflow obstruction sensing arrangement;   a sleep disordered breathing (SDB) sensing arrangement to sense at least apneas and hypopneas;   a respiratory sensing arrangement;   a body position sensing arrangement; and   an implant temperature sensing arrangement.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising a non-rechargeable power element completely contained within the housing of the stimulator. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the power element comprises a power generating arrangement at least partially contained within the housing of the stimulator. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the power generating arrangement comprises a mechanical energy harvesting arrangement. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the microstimulator comprise a re-chargeable power element to power the stimulator, and which is re-chargeable via an external power element. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , comprising a patient support to at least partially house the external power element. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the external power element comprises a charging function by which externally sensed information is transmittable to the implanted microstimulator 
     
     
         21 - 219 . (canceled)