The stimulation lead incorporates a cuff segment that includes three electrodes in a guarded-bipolar configuration, which means the center electrode is connected to one pole of the stimulation (e.g., negative pole), and is flanked on each side by two electrodes connected to the opposite pole of stimulation (e.g., positive pole). It is packaged with a tunneling rod to facilitate the implant procedure. The cuff is surgically positioned around a patient’s hypoglossal nerve, and the connector end of the lead is connected to the IPG. The cuff electrodes apply electrical current that stimulates the nerve causing the tongue to move forward. The tongue movement (via genioglossus and other tongue protrusor muscle contraction) serves to maintain an open airway. The figure below provides an illustration of the Model 4063 stimulation lead.
An assembly of battery-powered devices intended to apply periodic electrical stimuli to the vagus nerve to help control seizures and/or to help treat psychiatric disorder symptoms (e.g., depression). The vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is provided through an implantable pulse generator, typically placed in the anterior chest wall, and leads that run subcutaneously to where their electrodes are implanted around the left vagus nerve. The system may be programmed externally following implantation.