Apparatus, system and method for therapeutic treatment of obstructive sleep apnea

Abstract

Provided is an implantable RFID-enabled micro-electronic neurostimulator system for treating obstructive sleep apnea, comprising an implant having a top and a bottom layer, the bottom layer serving as an attachment mechanism such that the bottom layer of the implant encompasses the hypoglossal nerve and attaches to the top layer of the implant; a printed circuit board (PCB) attached to the top layer of the implant, the PCB having a first and a second opposing sides; a neural interface attached to the second side of the PCB; a core subsystem (CSS) attached to the first side of the PCB and electrically connected to the neural interface; and a radio frequency (RF) interface attached to the first side of the PCB and electrically connected to the CSS, wherein the implant is powered and controlled by an external programmable controller.

1 - 44 . (canceled) 
     
     
         45 . An implantable neurostimulator for treating obstructive sleep apnea in a patient comprising:
 an implantable nerve cuff configured to at least partially wrap around a segment of a Hypoglossal nerve (HGN), the nerve cuff including a plurality of electrodes each oriented and configured to contact the HGN at different radial locations of the segment of the HGN;   an implantable core subsystem electrically coupled to the nerve cuff; and   an external controller in communication with the implantable core subsystem and configured to control electrical stimulation applied to the HGN through the plurality of electrodes.   
     
     
         46 . The implantable neurostimulator of  claim 45 , wherein the core subsystem includes a printed circuit board (PCB). 
     
     
         47 . The implantable neurostimulator of  claim 46 , wherein the core subsystem includes a radio frequency (RF) interface electrically coupled to the PCB and in RF communication with the controller. 
     
     
         48 . The implantable neurostimulator of  claim 45 , wherein the controller is configured to initiate a stimulation cycle of the HGN. 
     
     
         49 . The implantable neurostimulator of  claim 48 , wherein the initiation of the stimulation cycle is conditional on one or more of activity and posture of the patient determined by a sensor in communication with the controller. 
     
     
         50 . The implantable neurostimulator of  claim 45 , wherein the core subsystem is configured to report completion of a stimulation state to the controller and then go to an idle state. 
     
     
         51 . The implantable neurostimulator of  claim 45 , wherein at least two of the plurality of electrodes are arranged at different longitudinal positions with respect to the HGN when the nerve cuff is wrapped around the HGN. 
     
     
         52 . The implantable neurostimulator of  claim 45 , wherein the nerve cuff is configured to completely radially wrap around the segment of the HGN. 
     
     
         53 . The implantable neurostimulator of  claim 45 , wherein the plurality of electrodes are configured to provide continuous open loop electrical stimulation to the HGN during sleep hours. 
     
     
         54 . The implantable neurostimulator of  claim 45 , wherein the nerve cuff is configured to deliver multiple modes of stimulation. 
     
     
         55 . The implantable neurostimulator of  claim 45 , wherein the plurality of electrodes are configured to provide bi-phasic stimulation of the HGN. 
     
     
         56 . The implantable neurostimulator of  claim 45 , wherein the controller is configured to stimulate patient specific nerve physiology and stimulation parameters. 
     
     
         57 . The implantable neurostimulator of  claim 45 , wherein the plurality of electrodes are programmable to maximize rate of airflow and stability of the upper airway. 
     
     
         58 . The implantable neurostimulator of  claim 45 , wherein the plurality of electrodes are configured to provide stimulation to different fascicles of HGN at preprogrammed conditions. 
     
     
         59 . The implantable neurostimulator of  claim 45 , wherein each of the plurality of electrodes is oriented and configured to contact a different web of nerve fascicles of the HGN. 
     
     
         60 . The implantable neurostimulator of  claim 45 , wherein the plurality of electrodes are configured and arranged to enable selective stimulation of both lateral HGN branches. 
     
     
         61 . The implantable neurostimulator of  claim 45  further comprising:
 a multiplexer electrically coupled to the plurality of electrodes, the multiplexer being programmable and configured to enable selective stimulation of particular areas of the HGN. 
 
     
     
         62 . An implantable neurostimulator system for treating obstructive sleep apnea, comprising:
 an implant configured to at least partially surround a portion of a Hypoglossal nerve (HGN);   a printed circuit board (PCB) electrically coupled to the implant;   a neural interface electrically coupled to the PCB;   a core subsystem (CSS) electrically coupled to the PCB and electrically connected to the neural interface, the core subsystem being configured to select a trained waveform from memory and start stimulation by providing an electrical signal to the neural interface upon receiving a request to enter into a stimulation state, the core subsystem being configured to report completion of a stimulation state to the controller via an RF communication and go to an idle state;   a radio frequency (RF) interface electrically coupled to the PCB and electrically coupled to the CSS; and   an external programmable controller configured to power and control the implant.   
     
     
         63 . An implantable neurostimulator system for treating obstructive sleep apnea, comprising:
 an implant configured to and at least partially surround a portion of the Hypoglossal nerve (HGN);   a printed circuit board (PCB) electrically coupled to the implant;   a neural interface electrically coupled to the PCB;   a core subsystem (CSS) electrically coupled to the PCB and electrically coupled to the neural interface, the core subsystem being included in a silicon chip placed on the PCB with the chip connected to the neural interface via traced wires printed on the PCB;   a radio frequency (RF) interface attached to the first side of the PCB and electrically coupled to the CSS; and   an external programmable controller configured to power and control the implant.