A computer-implemented method for identifying tongue movement comprises detecting an electroencephalography (“EEG”) signal from an EEG sensor. The EEG sensor is configured to sense the EEG signal generated by a brain in association with a tongue movement. The method also comprises detecting the EMG signal from the EMG sensor. The EMG sensor is configured to sense the EMG signal generated by cranial nerve stimulation of muscles associated with the tongue movement. The method also includes identifying the tongue movement based on the EEG signal and the EMG signal. The method then includes correlating the tongue movement with one of a plurality of tongue location areas.

A method and apparatus are provided for processing a set of communicated signals associated with a set of muscles, such as the muscles near the larynx of the person, or any other muscles the person use to achieve a desired response. The method includes the steps of attaching a single integrated sensor, for example, near the throat of the person proximate to the larynx and detecting an electrical signal through the sensor. The method further includes the steps of extracting features from the detected electrical signal and continuously transforming them into speech sounds without the need for further modulation. The method also includes comparing the extracted features to a set of prototype features and selecting a prototype feature of the set of prototype features providing a smallest relative difference.

Devices, systems, and methods herein relate to electromyography (EMG) that may be used in diagnostic and/or therapeutic applications, including but not limited to electrophysiological study of muscles in the body relating to neuromuscular function and/or disorders. Sensor assemblies and methods are described herein for non-invasively generating an EMG signal corresponding to muscle tissue where the sensor may be positioned directly on a surface of the muscle tissue including any associated membrane (e.g., mucosal, endothelial, synovial) overlying the muscle tissue. A sensor assembly may include one or more pairs of closely spaced, atraumatic electrodes in a bipolar or multipolar configuration. The first and second electrodes may be applied against a surface of muscle tissue (that may include a membrane overlying the muscle) and receive electrical activity signal data corresponding to an electrical potential difference of the portion of muscle between the electrodes.

An implantable neurostimulator (INS) and method of use, the INS including an electrical lead having formed thereon at least a pair of bi-polar electrodes, wherein the electrical lead is configured for placement of the pair of bi-polar electrodes proximate protrusor muscles of a patient, a pulse generator electrically connected to the electrical lead and configured to deliver electrical energy to the pair of bi-polar electrodes, the pulse generator having mounted therein a sensor and a control circuit, and the sensor is configured to generate signals representative of an orientation of the pulse generator and communicate the signals to the control circuit and the control circuit is configured to determine the orientation of the pulse generator and deliver electrical energy to the bi-polar electrodes when the determined orientation correlates to a pre-determined orientation.

An electrode lead comprises an electrically insulative cuff body and at least three axially aligned electrode contacts circumferentially disposed along the inner surface of the cuff body when in the furled state. The electrode contacts may be circumferentially disposed around a nerve, and an electrical pulse train may be delivered to the electrode contacts thereby stimulating the nerve to treat obstructive sleep apnea. The electrical pulse train may be one that pre-conditions peripherally located nerve fascicles to not be stimulated, while stimulating centrally located nerve fascicles. A feedback mechanism can be used to titrate electrode contacts and electrical pulse train to the patient. A sensor that is affixed to the case of a neurostimulator can be used to measure physiological artifacts of respiration, and a motion detector can be used to sense tapping of the neurostimulator to toggle the neurostimulator between an ON position and an OFF position.

An electrode lead comprises an electrically insulative cuff body and at least three axially aligned electrode contacts circumferentially disposed along the inner surface of the cuff body when in the furled state. The electrode contacts may be circumferentially disposed around a nerve, and an electrical pulse train may be delivered to the electrode contacts thereby stimulating the nerve to treat obstructive sleep apnea. The electrical pulse train may be one that pre-conditions peripherally located nerve fascicles to not be stimulated, while stimulating centrally located nerve fascicles. A feedback mechanism can be used to titrate electrode contacts and electrical pulse train to the patient. A sensor that is affixed to the case of a neurostimulator can be used to measure physiological artifacts of respiration, and a motion detector can be used to sense tapping of the neurostimulator to toggle the neurostimulator between an ON position and an OFF position.

An implantable neurostimulator system including an electrical lead having formed thereon a pair of bipolar electrodes, the electrical lead is configured for placement of the pair of bipolar electrodes proximate protrusor muscles of a patient. The system also includes a pulse generator electrically connected to the electrical lead and configured to deliver electrical energy to the pair of bipolar electrodes, the pulse generator having mounted therein a sensor configured to detect one or more physiological parameters, a memory, a control circuit, and a telemetry circuit. The system also including a communications telemetry module (CTM) in communication with the telemetry circuit and configured to receive a data collected by the sensor and data related to delivery of electrical energy to the bipolar electrodes, and an external programmer in communication with the CTM and configured to display a user interface the data collected by the sensor and data related to delivery of electrical energy to the bipolar electrodes.

An electrode lead comprises a lead body, connector contacts affixed to the proximal end of the lead body, and a cuff body affixed to the distal end of the lead body. The cuff body is pre-shaped to transition from an unfurled state to a furled state, wherein the cuff body, when in the furled state has an inner surface for contacting a nerve and an overlapping inner cuff region and an outer cuff region. The electrode lead further comprise electrode contacts circumferentially disposed along the cuff body when in the furled state, such that at least one of the electrode contacts is located on the inner surface of the cuff body, and at least another of the electrode contacts is located between the overlapping inner and outer cuff regions. The electrode lead further comprises electrical conductors extending through the lead body respectively between the connector contacts and the electrode contacts.

An intraoperative nerve monitoring system for monitoring nerve activity within a trachea of a patient. The intraoperative nerve monitoring system includes an endotracheal (ET) tube assembly, which includes an ET tube partially inserted within a trachea and a surface electrode wrapped about the ET tube. The ET tube is configured to monitor nerve activity when the ET tube is partially inserted within the trachea and is contacting a target tissue and to output a nerve signal. The intraoperative nerve monitoring system also includes a pressure sensor assembly configured to sense an amount of pressure between the surface electrode and the target tissue and a console including an output device configured to output indicators based on the monitored nerve activity and the sensed amount of pressure to facilitate proper placement of the ET tube in the trachea and to indicate nerve activity.

A method includes applying a stimulation profile having a plurality of stimulation signals to at least one muscle of a recipient and/or to at least one neuron configured to control the at least one muscle. The method further includes monitoring muscle fatigue of the at least one muscle during said applying the stimulation profile. The method further includes automatically modifying the stimulation profile in response to said muscle fatigue.