Vestibular stimulation system and method

Patent 6748275 Issued on June 8, 2004. Estimated Expiration Date:

November 2, 2021. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

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Inventors

Assignee

Respironics, Inc.

Application

No. 10003809 filed on 11/02/2001

US Classes:

607/42, Stimulating respiration function600/26SLEEP OR RELAXATION INDUCING THERAPY (E.G., DIRECT NERVE STIMULATION, HYPNOSIS, ANALGESIA)

Examiners

Primary: Jastrzab, Jeffrey R.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Haas; Michael W.

International Classes

A61N 118
A61M 2100

Abstract

An apparatus and method in which the portions of the labyrinth associated with the labyrinthine sense and/or the nerves associated therewith are stimulated to perform at least one of the following functions: augment or control a patient's respiratory function, open the patient's airway, induce sleep, and/or counteract vertigo. In one embodiment, the vestibular stimulating system of the present invention includes 1) a stimulation element that performs the actual stimulation of the tissue, 2) a sensor to detect a physiological condition of the patient, and 3) a power/control unit that receives the signals provided by the sensor and causes stimulation energy to be provided to the stimulation element at an appropriate timing, level, pattern, and/or frequency to achieve the desired function. However, the present invention also contemplates eliminating the sensor in favor of applying a predetermined pattern of stimulation to the patient.