Implantable stimulation device for snoring treatment

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for treating snoring by implanting a stimulating electrode into a patient. The electrode is placed in stimulating contact with an airway passage-controlling muscle of the patient. The electrode is energized to contract the muscle and alter the airway passage.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for treating snoring comprising: 
 implanting a stimulating electrode into a patient with said electrode in stimulating contact with an airway passage-controlling muscle of said patient; and    energizing said electrode to contract said muscle and alter said airway passage.    
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said electrode is energized by electrically coupling said electrode through an electromagnetic field to a controller not implanted in said patient.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 2  wherein said controller is contained with an appliance sized to be removably placed within a mouth cavity of said patient and with said controller electrically coupled to said electrode when said appliance is placed within said mouth cavity.  
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said muscle is a muscle of the soft palate.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said muscle is a muscle of the tongue.  
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said muscle is a muscle of the pharnyx.  
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 4  wherein said muscle is selected from at least one of the Levator veli paltini, the Palatopharyngeous and the Palatoglossus muscles.  
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 5  wherein said muscle is selected from at least one of the Genioglossus and Geniohyoid muscles.  
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 6  wherein said muscle is selected from at least one of the Superior, Middle and Inferior pharyngeal constrictor, the Salpingopharyngeous and the Stylopharyngeous muscles.  
     
     
         10 . An apparatus for treating snoring of a patient, said apparatus comprising: 
 a stimulating electrode adapted to be implanted into a patient with said electrode in stimulating contact with an airway passage-controlling muscle of said patient; and    a control member for energizing said electrode to contract said muscle and alter said airway passage.    
     
     
         11 . An apparatus according to  claim 10  wherein said electrode and control member include cooperating components for inductively coupling said control member and said electrode.  
     
     
         12 . An apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein said control member is carried on an appliance adapted to be removably placed, non-invasively in mouth of said patient.