Non-Invasive and Wireless Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea via Electrical Stimulation Method

Obstructive sleep apnea defined as a medical condition caused by loss of muscle tone in upper airway dilator muscles. There are various treatment methods exist for this condition both invasive and non-invasive, but they all have their weaknesses and strengths. Electrical stimulation method seems to be the most promising non-invasive method in terms of efficiency and adherence rate. This study introduces a low-cost, easy-to-use and wireless novel device to treat obstructive sleep apnea based on electrical stimulation method. The developed device uses an accelerometer to track respiration and apnea episodes and when an apnea episode is detected delivers a small electric current to dilator muscles to make them regain their muscle tone, thus treating obstructive sleep apnea. The device also communicates with a smartphone application to keep a recording of respiration and apnea data to enable further studying of data by medical professionals and researchers.