A system for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is described. The system includes an introducer needle having an elongated body. The introducer needle is configured to create an opening in a tongue of a patient for implantation of a lead for treating OSA. One or more electrically conductive areas are located on the elongated body. A medical device is configured to deliver a stimulation signal via the introducer needle through the one or more electrically conductive areas to the tongue of the patient to stimulate one or more motor points of a protrusor muscle within the tongue of the patient.

A lead for delivering electrical stimulation therapy is described. The lead includes an elongated member defining a longitudinal axis, one or more electrodes disposed at a distal end of the elongated member, a plurality of collars located along the longitudinal axis, and one or more fixation members. At least one of the fixation members is a bow-like member having a first connection point to a first collar of the plurality of collars and a second connection point to a second collar of the plurality of collars. The distal end of the elongated member is configured for insertion in a tongue of a patient such that the one or more electrodes are implanted proximate to one or more motor points of a protrusor muscle within the tongue of the patient and the bow-like member of the one or more fixation members is implanted within tissue of the tongue.

A system for treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is described. The system may include a locking device having a size and shape selected to couple to skin along a jaw of a patient. The locking device may be configured to receive at least one of a needle or an introducer for insertion into a tongue of the patient for lead placement of a lead for OSA treatment, and lock at least a portion of the at least one of the needle or introducer in place to reduce movement of the needle or introducer within the tongue.

Devices, systems, and techniques are described for creating pockets in tissue for accepting implantable medical devices. For example, a surgical tool includes a shaft defining a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis, a handle coupled to the proximal end of the shaft, and one or more blades configured to move between a retracted configuration and a deployed configuration, wherein the one or more blades extend, in the deployed configuration, substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis at the distal end of the shaft. The one or more blades may be configured to separate tissue in the deployed configuration.

Disclosed is a system for stimulation of a subject. The stimulation may be to provide therapy to treat the subject. Stimulation may be of selected muscle groups and/or portions.

Disclosed is a system for stimulation of a subject. The stimulation may be to provide therapy to treat the subject. Stimulation may be of selected muscle groups and/or portions.

Disclosed is a system for stimulation of a subject. The stimulation may be to provide therapy to treat the subject. Stimulation may be of selected muscle groups and/or portions.

An embodiment herein relates to a wearable device comprising three strips of medical-grade, hypoallergenic adhesive wherein two of the strips lie above and below the mouth, and the third strip connects the first two and bridges the gap across the lips, keeping them closed. The strips are connected by hook and loop attachments, allowing them to be removed and reattached as needed when used. The wearable device may have additional features, included but not limited to being reusable, containing electrodes to stimulate muscles, various sensors, a handheld device, added ointment or skin-absorbed medication, a nasal dilator, different colors, and/or cloth padding for added comfort.

A system for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is described. The system includes an introducer needle having an elongated body. The introducer needle is configured to create an opening in a tongue of a patient for implantation of a lead for treating OSA. One or more electrically conductive areas are located on the elongated body. A medical device is configured to deliver a stimulation signal via the introducer needle through the one or more electrically conductive areas to the tongue of the patient to stimulate one or more motor points of a protrusor muscle within the tongue of the patient.

Apnea events may be detected based on a primary biomarker, e.g., respiration, in the one or more physiological signals. The apnea events may be characterized as one of an obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) event, a central sleep apnea (CSA) event, or a combination OSA/CSA event based on a secondary biomarker, e.g., a frequency spectrum or a morphology of the respirations in the one or more physiological signals. A first electrical stimulation may be provided to treat OSA in response to a first one or more of the apnea events being characterized as OSA events. A second electrical stimulation may be provided to treat CSA in response to a second one or more of apnea events being characterized as CSA events. A third electrical stimulation may be provided to treat combination OSA/CSA in response to a third one or more of the apnea events being characterized as combination OSA/CSA events.