Patent ID: 8160712

Claim:
A device for treating a patient experiencing episodes of sleep apnea during a designated sleep period by stimulating the first and third intercostals or third and fifth intercostals of the patient, said device comprising: at least two electrode wires each with a cathode connector and an anode connector; an electrical stimulator configured to repeatedly produce an electrical pulse with a magnitude of 5 to 25 milliamps for 59 seconds on, 4 seconds off; said electrical stimulator includes: at least two channels, each connected to one said electrode wire; at least one amplitude control switch that is configured to adjust the amplitude of said electrical pulse produced by said electrical stimulator; a timer switch configured to select different sleep periods; a delay activation switch configured to select a time to first begin to produce electrical pulses; and a main power switch; and at least two pairs of electrodes, each electrode pair connected to said anode connector and said cathode connector of said at least two electrode wires, respectively; wherein said at least two pairs of electrodes are adapted to be placed over said first and third intercostals or said third and fifth intercostals, respectively; and the electrical pulse is delivered during at least one of said different sleep periods in order to prevent apnea during at least one of said different sleep periods.