Method and apparatus for the treatment of central sleep apnea using biventricular pacing

摘要

An apparatus and method for treating sleep apnea includes a control unit in electrical communication with a lead. The control unit is capable of outputting a sleep apnea interruption pulse to stimulate at least one of a phrenic nerve and a diaphragm. Specifically, an implanted medical device (IMD) such as an ICD or a pacemaker paces the heart and a mode switch algorithm changes the pacing output to stimulate at least one of a phrenic nerve and diaphragm when sleep apnea is detected by the control unit. The method includes determining if the patient is experiencing sleep apnea and outputting a sleep apnea interruption pulse to the at least one of a phrenic nerve and a diaphragm. The control unit may be incorporated with the IMD. In another embodiment, the control unit may be in wireless communication with the IMD and positioned outside a patient's body.