| 摘要 |
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus and method in which the portions of the labyrinth associated with the labyrinthine sense and/or the nerves associated therewith are stimulated to perform at least one of the following functions: augment or control a patient's respiratory function, open the patient's airway, induce sleep, and/or counteract vertigo. SOLUTION: The vestibular stimulating system of the present invention includes (1) a stimulation element 38 that performs the actual stimulation of the tissue, (2) a sensor 34 to detect the physical condition of the patient, and (3) a power/control unit 60 that receives the signals provided by the sensor and causes stimulation energy to be provided to the stimulation element at an appropriate timing, level, pattern, and/or frequency to achieve the desired function. However, the present invention also contemplates eliminating the sensor in favor of applying a predetermined pattern of stimulation to the patient. COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO
|
