Method of treating obstructive sleep apnea using electrical nerve stimulation

Abstract

A method for treating a medical condition, such as obstructive sleep apnea, includes the step of stimulating a nerve, particularly the hypoglossal nerve, using at least one of the following techniques: (a) continuous low-level electrical stimulation; (b) electrical stimulation synchronized with a physical process, such as inspiration, without feedback from the nerve being stimulated; and (c) intermittent electrical stimulation at controlled intervals based on the patient's metabolism.

1 . A method for treating sleep apnea, comprising:
 continuously electrically stimulating at least one fascicle of a hypoglossal nerve at a predetermined amplitude of about 10% less than the threshold amplitude necessary to activate a muscle of a patient up to 1% less than the threshold amplitude necessary to activate a muscle of the patient.   
   
   
       2 . A method for treating sleep apnea, comprising:
 continuously electrically stimulating at least ten percent of the fascicles of the hypoglossal nerve with an electrical signal, where the electrical signal has an amplitude less than the threshold amplitude necessary to activate an upper airway dilator muscle of a patient, and where the electrical stimulus has an amplitude large enough so that a combination of the electrical signal and an endogenous signal on the fascicles will activate the upper airway dilator muscle.   
   
   
       3 . A method for treating sleep apnea, comprising:
 continuously electrically stimulating at least one fascicle that innervates the genioglossus at a predetermined amplitude of about 10% less than the threshold amplitude necessary to activate a first muscle of a patient up to 1% less than the threshold amplitude necessary to activate the first muscle of the patient; and   continuously electrically stimulating at least one fascicle that innervates the styloglossus nerve at a predetermined amplitude of about 10% less than the threshold amplitude necessary to activate a second muscle of a patient up to 1% less than the threshold amplitude necessary to activate the second muscle of the patient,   where the first muscle and the second muscle are functionally opposite muscles.