SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RECOVERY FROM MOTOR CONTROL VIA STIMULATION TO A SUBSTITUTED SITE TO AN AFFECTED AREA

摘要

A device and methods for treating a subject with dysphagia or otherneurological disease, neurological disorder,neurological injury, neurological impairment or neurodegenerative disease thataffects voluntary motor control of the hyoid,pharynx, larynx, or oropharyngeal area is disclosed. A device of the inventiongenerally comprises a vibrotactile stimulator forapplying at least one stimulus to the outside surface of a subject's neck; aconnector for attaching the vibrotactile stimulator to anoutside surface of the subject's neck, and a switch control communicativelyconnected to the vibrotactile stimulator to selectivelyengage a manual stimulation module and/or automatic stimulation module.Stimulation of an outside surface of the throat area of asubject by a device of the invention stimulates a swallowing reflex in thesubject.