Patent ID: 8583240

Claim:
A device for treating dysphagia using electrical stimulation that simultaneously closes the mouth and activates a swallowing reflex in the pharyngeal region of the throat, comprising: a. a power source; b. eight electrode output plug connectors; c. a signal generator configured to provide four facial muscle output signals to four said electrode output plug connectors and configured to provide four pharyngeal region output signals to four said electrode output plug connectors simultaneously with said four facial muscle output signals, each said output signal having an intensity, a frequency, and a pulse duration; d. an output protector circuit for limiting said intensity of each said output signals; e. a treatment duration circuit for controlling the duration of operation of said signal generator; f. a ramp control circuit for controlling said intensity of each said output signal; g. a monitor for displaying operating parameters of said device; h. one electrode attached to each said electrode output plug connector; i. wherein said signal generator regulates said intensity, said frequency, and said pulse duration of said output signal in accordance with a procedure for closing the mouth prior to swallowing by applying said output signal to said output plug connectors connected to said electrodes attached to the facial region of a patient; j. wherein said signal generator regulates said intensity, said frequency, and said pulse duration of said output signal in accordance with a procedure for treating dysphagia by applying said output signal to said output plug connectors connected to said electrodes attached to the pharyngeal region of a patient; k. wherein said treatment duration circuit and said ramp control circuit regulate said output signal in accordance with a procedure for treating dysphagia by applying said output signal to the pharyngeal region of the patient; and, i. wherein said output protector circuit is programmed to limit said intensity of said output signal in accordance with a treatment tolerance level of the patient.