System and method for neural stimulation

Abstract

A system and method of neural stimulation is disclosed, comprising the steps of electrically connecting at least one electrode to a first tissue, applying a stimulus to the at least one electrode, observing a response of a second tissue, identifying an electrode position on the first tissue wherein a desired response occurs on the second tissue when the stimulus is applied to the at least one electrode, and fixing the at least one electrode in place at the identified electrode position.

1 . A method of neural stimulation, comprising the steps of:
 electrically connecting at least one electrode to a first tissue;   applying a stimulus to the at least one electrode;   observing a response of a second tissue;   identifying an electrode position on the first tissue wherein a desired response occurs on the second tissue when the stimulus is applied to the at least one electrode; and   fixing the at least one electrode in place at the identified electrode position.   
   
   
       2 . The neural stimulation method of  claim 1 , wherein the applied stimulus is a voltage signal. 
   
   
       3 . The neural stimulation method of  claim 1 , wherein the applied stimulus is a controlled voltage signal. 
   
   
       4 . The neural stimulation method of  claim 1 , wherein the applied stimulus is a current signal. 
   
   
       5 . The neural stimulation method of  claim 1 , wherein the applied stimulus is a controlled current signal 
   
   
       6 . The neural stimulation method of  claim 1 , wherein the applied stimulus is preprogrammed. 
   
   
       7 . The neural stimulation method of  claim 1 , wherein the stimulus applicator is disposable. 
   
   
       8 . The neural stimulation method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of applying an additional stimulus to the at least one electrode. 
   
   
       9 . The neural stimulation method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of repositioning the at least one electrode. 
   
   
       10 . The neural stimulation method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of calculating an estimated minimum stimulus level to achieve the desired response. 
   
   
       11 . The neural stimulation method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of generating a stimulus profile. 
   
   
       12 . The neural stimulation method of  claim 11 , wherein the stimulus profile comprises suggested electrode combinations and stimulus levels to elicit the desired response. 
   
   
       13 . The neural stimulation method of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second tissues are selected from the group consisting of nerve tissue, muscle tissue, and organ tissue. 
   
   
       14 . The neural stimulation method of  claim 13 , wherein the first tissue is nerve tissue. 
   
   
       15 . The neural stimulation method of  claim 14 , wherein the nerve tissue is a hypoglossal nerve fiber. 
   
   
       16 . The neural stimulation method of  claim 13 , wherein the second tissue is tongue muscle tissue. 
   
   
       17 . The neural stimulation method of  claim 16 , wherein the tongue muscle tissue is a tongue flattening muscle. 
   
   
       18 . The neural stimulation method of  claim 16 , wherein the tongue muscle tissue is a tongue protruding muscle. 
   
   
       19 . The neural stimulation method of  claim 1 , wherein the desired response is a change in airway patency. 
   
   
       20 . The neural stimulation method of  claim 1 , wherein the desired response is the at least partial blockage of a neural impulse. 
   
   
       21 . The neural stimulation method of  claim 1 , wherein the desired response is the initiation of at least one neural impulse. 
   
   
       22 . The neural stimulation method of  claim 1 , wherein the response of a second tissue is observed visually. 
   
   
       23 . The neural stimulation method of  claim 1 , wherein the response of a second tissue is observed using instrumentation. 
   
   
       24 . The neural stimulation method of  claim 1 , wherein the response of a second tissue is directly observed. 
   
   
       25 . The neural stimulation method of  claim 1 , wherein the response of a second tissue is indirectly observed. 
   
   
       26 . The neural stimulation method of  claim 1 , wherein the response of a second tissue is observed by a sensor internal to the patient. 
   
   
       27 . The neural stimulation method of  claim 1 , wherein the response of a second tissue is observed by a sensor external to the patient. 
   
   
       28 . A neural stimulation system, comprising:
 at least one electrode electrically connected to a first tissue;   means for applying a stimulus to the at least one electrode;   means for observing a response of a second tissue; means for identifying an electrode position on the first tissue wherein a desired response occurs on the second tissue when the stimulus is applied to the at least one electrode; and   means for fixing the at least one electrode in place at the identified electrode position.   
   
   
       29 . A computer program product comprising computer readable medium having stored thereon computer executable instructions that, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform a method of neural stimulation comprising the steps of:
 applying a stimulus to at least one electrode electrically connected to a first tissue;   observing a response of a second tissue; and   identifying an electrode position on the first tissue wherein a desired response occurs on the second tissue when the stimulus is applied to the at least one electrode.   
   
   
       30 . A neural stimulation system, comprising:
 at least one electrode electrically connected to a first tissue;   a gross adjustment stimulator coupled to and delivering a stimulus to the at least one electrode;   a stimulus measurement subsystem in communication with the gross adjustment stimulator and having at least one sensor, the at least one sensor measuring a response of a second tissue; and   a programming subsystem in communication with the stimulus measurement subsystem, the programming subsystem collecting data from a group consisting of stimulus data and tissue response data.