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Abstract

A method and device for stimulation of an upper airway muscle of a patient to relieve an airway obstruction employs a digital respiratory effort waveform. The waveform is provided by sensing a signal having an output characteristic of respiratory effort of the patient and sampling the sensed signal at a predetermined interval. To bring the signal into the center of the maximum digital range for the device, an average offset for the digitized waveform is determined and the sensed signal is adjusted to bring the average offset into the center of a predetermined maximum digital range. To provide an appropriate amplitude for the waveform, an average peak-to-peak amplitude for the digitized waveform is determined and the average peak-to-peak amplitude is then adjusted to bring the average peak-to-peak amplitude into the range of about 60-90% of the maximum digital range. By selecting an appropriate sampling interval and digital range for the waveform, the resolution of the waveform can allow parameters characteristic of valid respiratory signals to be evaluated which will allow stimulation output from the apnea treatment device to be synchronized with the inspiratory phase of the patient's respiratory cycle.

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First Claim