Patent ID: 8449445

Claim:
An automatic stimulation controller device that cycles on and off to initiate and maintain vibro-tactile stimulation to induce swallowing during the day and/or night to provide saliva control by swallowing, the automatic stimulation controller device comprising: a vibro-tactile stimulator configured to initiate vibro-tactile stimulation of a throat area of a subject; an automatic timing circuit in communication with the vibro-tactile stimulator, the automatic timing circuit configured to initiate vibro-tactile stimulation of the throat area of the subject by the vibro-tactile stimulator at an adjustable time interval, the automatic timing circuit comprising: an oscillator configured to output a clock signal; a programmable timer configured to receive the clock signal and to generate a first output pulse responsive to the clock signal, wherein the clock signal is adjustable to control the adjustable time interval of between about 1 minute and about 5 minutes; and an adjustable timer configured to provide a second output pulse responsive to the first output pulse of the programmable timer, the second output pulse configured to initiate the vibro-tactile stimulation, wherein the second output pulse is adjustable to allow for setting the duration of stimulation between about 1 second and about 10 seconds, wherein the automatic stimulation controller device is configured to be adjusted to different intervals and durations of stimulation, wherein the vibro-tactile stimulation is configured to be adjusted to stimulation rates of between about 40 Hz and about 70 Hz; and a control mechanism configured to also cause the vibro-tactile stimulator to initiate the vibro-tactile stimulation upon volitional input from the subject, the control mechanism comprising a switch configured to enable the device to switch between an automatic mode utilizing the automatic timing circuit and a volitional mode utilizing the control mechanism.