Patent ID: 7949398
Filing Date: 2011-05-24
Classification: A61B,A61N

Abstract:
1. A system comprising: an implantable device that comprises: a processor, a memory, a telemetry circuit, a lead bearing one or more electrodes configured to sense electrical activity of the right carotid sinus nerve or the left carotid sinus nerve, and control logic, configured in conjunction with the processor, to store in the memory the sensed electrical activity or information derived from processing the sensed electrical activity by the processor; and an external, positive airway pressure device that comprises: a processor, a memory, a telemetry circuit, and control logic configured to download, via the telemetry circuit of the external device, the sensed electrical activity or the information derived from the sensed electrical activity from the memory of the implantable device, wherein the control logic of the external device is configured in conjunction with the processor of the external device, to: store in the memory of the external device one or more relationships between carotid sinus nerve activity and at least one member of the group consisting of ventilation rate, blood carbon dioxide concentration, blood oxygen concentration and blood pH; determine at least one member of the group consisting of ventilation rate, blood carbon dioxide concentration, blood oxygen concentration and blood pH downloaded based on the sensed electrical activity and the one or more relationships; and determine if sleep apnea exists based at least in part on chemosensory discharges of a carotid body per the at least one determined member.