Apparatus, system, and method for therapeutic treatment of a patient

Abstract

A system used for controlling a position of a patient's tongue includes an implant having at least one electrode configured to deliver selective stimulation to particular fascicles of the Hypoglossal nerve to stimulate at least one muscle of the tongue and a controller coupled to the implant.

1 . A system used for controlling a position of a patient's tongue, the system comprising:
 an implant having at least one electrode configured to deliver selective stimulation to particular fascicles of the Hypoglossal nerve to stimulate at least one muscle of the tongue; and   a controller coupled to the implant.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the implant includes:
 an array of electrodes including at least one electrode pair;   a multiplexer;   digital to analog signal converter; and   an RFID based control and stimulation chip; and   wherein the controller includes an RF interface.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the controller is configured to be programmable and to supply power to the implant. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the power is supplied to the implant using RF energy emitted by the controller. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising a transponder located in the implant wherein the controller is configured to:
 identify a unique ID tag corresponding to the implant;   communicate with the implant having the unique ID tag; and   send a signal to the transponder.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the transponder is a passive RFID transponder. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising a core subsystem within the implant, wherein the controller is configured to initiate a stimulation cycle by making a request to the core subsystem, the request being in the form of an encoded RF waveform including control data. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the request is encrypted. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the implant is encased in a casing, the casing being a material selected from the group consisting of one or more titanium alloys, ceramic, and polyetheretherketone (PEEK). 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the controller includes an interface for interfacing with a computer. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the controller and implant are configured to stimulate patient specific nerve physiology and stimulation parameters. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the controller is configured to couple to the patient's ear. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the controller is flexible. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the controller further includes a programming device and wherein the controller is configured to:
 provide an RF signal to the implant;   sense and record data; and   interface with the programming device.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the controller is configured to communicate with the implant at preprogrammed intervals. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 2 , the implant further comprising an antenna, a micrologic CPU, and a memory configured to store protocols which are selective to a patient in need of neurostimulation. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the implant is configured to provide stimulation to the Hypoglossal nerve at preprogrammed intervals. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the implant is configured to provide bi-phasic stimulation to the Hypoglossal nerve. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the implant is configured to provide continuous open loop electrical stimulation to the Hypoglossal nerve during sleep hours. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the implant is configured to provide bi-phasic stimulation to the Hypoglossal nerve. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a stimulation pulse width of the electrode is about 200 microseconds at a stimulation frequency of about 10-40 hertz.