The present disclosure describes an endotracheal ventilator tube for the treatment of dysphagia comprising an elongate tube and at least one electrode positioned on or about the elongate tube, wherein the at least one electrode is configured to deliver electrical stimulation to the oropharyngeal region and is electrically connected to an electrical stimulation generating means.

The present invention defines a device for the treatment of dysphagia comprising a flexible member mounting an imaging device for insertion into a patient and one or more electrodes proximate the imaging device for imparting electrical stimulation to the patient.

Devices and methods for treating obstructive sleep apnea by first performing an assessment of the patient that involves observing the patient's upper airway during a tongue protrusion maneuver. The assessment may, for example, be done using endoscopy to observe the upper airway while the patient is awake in the supine position. An adequate response of the upper airway during the tongue protrusion maneuver is indicative of likely therapeutic success with hypoglossal nerve stimulation, and may be used for making clinical decisions. The principles of the present invention may be applied to other therapeutic interventions for OSA involving the upper airway.

An apparatus for monitoring EMG signals of a patient's laryngeal muscles includes an endotracheal tube having an exterior surface, and a tube coating applied to the exterior surface via spraying of a homogeneous solution onto the endotracheal tube or immersion of the endotracheal tube in the homogeneous solution. A conductive electrode is formed on the tube coating. The conductive electrode is configured to receive the EMG signals from the laryngeal muscles.

A system includes an endotracheal tube having a plurality of electrodes, wherein the electrodes include at least one stimulating electrode configured to stimulate tissue of a patient and at least one monitoring electrode configured to monitor at least one nerve of a patient. The system includes a nerve integrity monitor device configured to send a stimulation signal to the at least one stimulating electrode to evoke a reflex response, and configured to receive a monitoring signal from the at least one monitoring electrode.

An apparatus for monitoring EMG signals of a patient's laryngeal muscles includes an endotracheal tube having an exterior surface. Conductive electrodes are formed on the endotracheal tube. The conductive electrodes are configured to receive the EMG signals from the laryngeal muscles when the endotracheal tube is placed in a trachea of the patient. At least wireless sensor is formed on the endotracheal tube, and is configured to wirelessly transmit information to a processing apparatus.

A hybrid method is provided for modulating upper airway function in a subject. The method includes applying first and second therapy signals to the subject to modulate at least one extrinsic laryngeal muscle and at least one intrinsic laryngeal muscle to synergistically control laryngeal motion and vocal fold movement, respectively.

An apparatus for monitoring EMG signals of a patient's laryngeal muscles includes an endotracheal tube having an exterior surface and a first location configured to be positioned at the patient's vocal folds. A first electrode is formed on the exterior surface of the endotracheal tube substantially below the first location to receive EMG signals primarily from below the vocal folds. A second electrode is formed on the exterior surface of the endotracheal tube substantially above the first location to receive EMG signals primarily from above the vocal folds. The first and second electrodes are configured to receive the EMG signals from the laryngeal muscles when the endotracheal tube is placed in a trachea of the patient.

Devices and methods for allowing for improved assisted ventilation of a patient. The methods and devices provide a number of benefits over conventional approaches for assisted ventilation. For example, the methods and devices described herein permit blind insertion of a device that can allow ventilation regardless of whether the device is positioned within a trachea or an esophagus. In addition, the methods and device allow for timed delivery of ventilations based on a condition of a thoracic cavity to increase the amount and efficiency of blood flow during a resuscitation procedure.

An indicator device with wireless communication functionality for monitoring a position of a valve actuating device. The indicator device including a visual indication device having an outer beacon and an inner beacon received within the outer beacon and arranged to rotate relative to the outer beacon, a wireless module including at least one sensor, positioned within the inner beacon of the visual indication device, and configured to transmit a message using the wireless module, and a shaft extending through the visual indication device and coupled to the valve actuating device. Rotation of the shaft is detectable by the at least one sensor of the wireless module to indicate the position of the valve actuating device, and the indicator device is sealed to inhibit infiltration of liquid and penetration of debris to the wireless module.