Patent ID: 8886322

Claim:
A method for controlling a position of a patient's tongue, the method comprising: implanting an electrode having a plurality of contacts, the plurality of contacts being proximate a Hypoglossal nerve; implanting an implantable pulse generator (IPG), the IPG being electronically coupled to the electrode; programming the IPG, independent of respiration cycle, to deliver at least two electric signals to the plurality of contacts; applying the at least two electric signals at a starting frequency via the plurality of contacts to at least two targeted motor efferent groups located within the Hypoglossal nerve to stimulate at least two muscles of the tongue; and ramping the starting frequency downwards to a target frequency, wherein programming the IPG includes: assigning each contact to one of a plurality of functional groups, keeping an amplitude of at least one electric signal of a first functional group at a target amplitude for a pre-determined amount of time and then replacing the at least one electric signal of the first functional group with at least one electric signal of a second functional group of the plurality of functional groups, ramping an amplitude of the at least one electric signal of the second functional group from an initial level up to the target amplitude, and ramping the amplitude of the at least one electric signal of the second functional group from the target amplitude down to a rest amplitude.