Patent ID: 8024044

Claim:
An implantable apparatus for stimulating a hypoglossal nerve of a patient for the treatment of sleep disordered breathing, comprising: an electrode structured to be positioned at least partially around the hypoglossal nerve and comprising a monitoring contact adapted to sense the electroneurogram activity of the hypoglossal nerve and at least one stimulating contact adapted to electrically stimulate the hypoglossal nerve; and a controller operatively coupled to the monitoring contact and the stimulating contact; the monitoring contact being structured to monitor the electroneurogram activity of the hypoglossal nerve, detect a pre-inspiratory drive signal indicative of the breathing cycle, and send a signal to the controller; and the controller being structured to cause the stimulating electrode to electrically stimulate the hypoglossal nerve in response to the pre-inspiratory drive signal to prevent occlusion of the patient's upper airway.