Patents by Inventor David T. Kent

David T. Kent has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20230165704
    Abstract: Hyolaryngeal suspension devices and systems for treating sleep disordered breathing (SDB) are provided. A device includes a first fastener sized and configured to anchor to a hyoid bone or thyroid cartilage of the patient and a second fastener is sized and configured to anchor to the sternum, clavicle, or ribs of the patient. A static or elastic member has one end connected to the first fastener and an opposing end connected to the second fastener. The elastic member has sufficient elasticity to allow the pharynx and/or the larynx to elevate dynamically to permit speech and swallowing. The static member has sufficient tension to maintain appropriate haryngeal wall tension while still permitting sufficient movement of the hyoid bone and thyroid cartilage for speech and swallowing function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Inventor: David T. KENT
  • Publication number: 20230149714
    Abstract: The present disclose generally relates to systems and methods for active titration of one or more cranial or peripheral nerve stimulators to treat obstructive sleep apnea. The active titration can be accomplished in an automated fashion by a closed-loop process. The closed-loop process can be executed by a computing device that includes a non-transitory memory storing instructions and a processor to execute the instructions to perform operations. The operations can include defining initial parameters for the one or more cranial or peripheral nerve stimulators for a patient; receiving sensor data from sensors associated with the patient based on a stimulation with the one or more cranial or peripheral stimulators programmed according to the initial parameters; and adjusting the initial parameters based on the sensor data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2023
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventor: David T. KENT
  • Patent number: 11565112
    Abstract: The present disclose generally relates to systems and methods for active titration of one or more cranial or peripheral nerve stimulators to treat obstructive sleep apnea. The active titration can be accomplished in an automated fashion by a closed-loop process. The closed-loop process can be executed by a computing device that includes a non-transitory memory storing instructions and a processor to execute the instructions to perform operations. The operations can include defining initial parameters for the one or more cranial or peripheral nerve stimulators for a patient; receiving sensor data from sensors associated with the patient based on a stimulation with the one or more cranial or peripheral stimulators programmed according to the initial parameters; and adjusting the initial parameters based on the sensor data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: David T. Kent
  • Publication number: 20220379114
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to improve SDB in a patient suffering therefrom by delivering an electrical neuromodulation signal to at least a target site comprising an efferent fiber of the glossopharyngeal nerve that innervates pharyngeal constrictor muscles or the stylopharyngeus muscle. Methods include further delivering electrical neuromodulation signals to other sites including one or more combinations of the ansa cervicalis, the hypoglossal nerve, the palatoglossus muscle, and/or the palatopharyngeus muscle. The electrical neuromodulation signal delivered to efferent fibers of the glossopharyngeal nerve can be done independent of a detected sensory or input signal that measures the neuromuscular state of the patient's airway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventor: David T. KENT
  • Publication number: 20210052888
    Abstract: Methods and systems for treating sleep disordered breathing by stimulating nerves that innervate the palatoglossus and/or the palatopharyngeus muscle are provided. Such therapy can be used in conjunction with hypoglossal nerve stimulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventor: David T. Kent
  • Patent number: 10765862
    Abstract: Methods and systems for treating sleep disordered breathing by stimulating nerves that innervate the palatoglossus and/or the palatopharyngeus muscle are provided. Such therapy can be used in conjunction with hypoglossal nerve stimulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: David T. Kent
  • Publication number: 20200069947
    Abstract: The present disclose generally relates to systems and methods for active titration of one or more cranial or peripheral nerve stimulators to treat obstructive sleep apnea. The active titration can be accomplished in an automated fashion by a closed-loop process. The closed-loop process can be executed by a computing device that includes a non-transitory memory storing instructions and a processor to execute the instructions to perform operations. The operations can include defining initial parameters for the one or more cranial or peripheral nerve stimulators for a patient; receiving sensor data from sensors associated with the patient based on a stimulation with the one or more cranial or peripheral stimulators programmed according to the initial parameters; and adjusting the initial parameters based on the sensor data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventor: David T. KENT
  • Publication number: 20190117966
    Abstract: Methods and systems for treating sleep disordered breathing by stimulating nerves that innervate the palatoglossus and/or the palatopharyngeus muscle are provided. Such therapy can be used in conjunction with hypoglossal nerve stimulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventor: David T. Kent