US 12,144,763 B2
Methods and devices for treating sleep apnea
Douglas B. McCreery, Pasadena, CA (US)
Assigned to Huntington Medical Research Institutes, Pasadena, CA (US)
Filed by Huntington Medical Research Institutes, Pasadena, CA (US)
Filed on Apr. 17, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/301,922.
Application 18/301,922 is a continuation of application No. 16/164,539, filed on Oct. 18, 2018, granted, now 11,654,045.
Prior Publication US 2023/0381009 A1, Nov. 30, 2023
Int. Cl. A61F 5/56 (2006.01); A61B 5/00 (2006.01); A61N 1/05 (2006.01); A61N 1/36 (2006.01)
CPC A61F 5/566 (2013.01) [A61B 5/486 (2013.01); A61B 5/682 (2013.01); A61N 1/0548 (2013.01); A61N 1/36031 (2017.08); A61N 1/36078 (2013.01); A61N 1/3611 (2013.01); A61B 5/4818 (2013.01)] 24 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for treating obstructive sleep apnea in an individual, comprising:
an intraoral stimulation device, comprising:
a first dental mouthpiece configured to be positioned on upper teeth of an individual:
a first sensor mounted on the first dental mouthpiece and configured to monitor at least one of a position of tongue of the individual and force exerted by the tongue of the individual against the first sensor;
a first electrode mounted on the first dental mouthpiece and configured to deliver an electrical stimulus to an anterior hard palate of the individual; and
a controller in communication with the intraoral stimulation device and configured to receive a signal from the first sensor indicating a position of the tongue and direct the first electrode to deliver an electrical stimulus, when the first sensor indicates that the tongue has moved from a desired position to an undesired position in the mouth.