DR. MICHAEL O CHRISTIAN, M.D
Radiology at Mayfield Rd, Cleveland, OH

7280873, Oct 9, 2007

Feb 18, 2004

10/782620

Marcy L. Freed - Marysville WA, US
Leonard A. Freed - Kailua HI, US
Michael O. Christian - Mayfield Heights OH, US
Howard Tucker - Cleveland Heights OH, US
Bernard Kotton - Beachwood OH, US
Erol M. Beytas - Beachwood OH, US
Marie Asmar - Richmond Heights OH, US
Ed Dunlay - Harrison TN, US
Tim Kretschmer - Wabasha MN, US

ESD, LLC - Marysville WA

A61N 1/00

607 72, 607152

A method for treating an oropharyngeal disorder in a patient by neuromuscular electrical stimulation includes selectively placing a plurality of electrodes in electrical contact with tissue of a pharyngeal region of the patient. The method also includes the steps of providing a pulse generator for generating a series of electrical pulses, each of which comprises a biphasic symmetrical waveform with an interval between the two phases, and attaching the plurality of electrodes to the pulse generator so that the series of electrical pulses may be provided to the patient through the plurality of electrodes. According to the method, a series of electrical pulses, each of which comprises a biphasic symmetrical waveform with an interval between the two phases, is generated, and said series of electrical pulses is provided to the patient through the plurality of electrodes. An apparatus for generating a series of electrical pulses for application of electrical neuromuscular stimulation to a patient through a plurality of electrodes for treatment of oropharyngeal disorders includes a pulse generator which generates a series of electrical pulses, each of which pulses comprises a biphasic symmetrical waveform with an interval between the two phases. The apparatus includes an intensity control circuit for regulating the series of electrical pulses such that the intensity of the electrical pulses does not exceed a predetermined value, a frequency controller for controlling the frequency at which the series of electrical pulses is generated so that such pulses are generated at a predetermined frequency, and a duration control circuit for controlling the duration of each such electrical pulse.

5987359, Nov 16, 1999

Oct 23, 1997

8/956448

Marcy L. Freed - Pepper Pike OH
Leonard A. Freed - Kailua HI
Michael O. Christian - Beachwood OH
Howard Tucker - Cleveland Heights OH
Bernard Kotton - Beachwood OH
Erol M. Beytas - Beachwood OH
Marie Asmar - Richmond Heights OH

ESD Limited Liability Co. - Beachwood OH

A61N 118

607 72

This invention is directed to a simple, non-invasive method and device for treating dysphagia and artificially promoting swallowing by electrical stimulus. In the present invention, a plurality of electrodes are selectively placed in electrical contact with tissue of a pharyngeal region of patient and a series of electrical pulses in electrical contact with each of the plurality of electrodes with a generator. The generator includes a pulse rate modulator for generating each of the electrical pulses having a frequency generally fixed at 80 hertz, a pulse width modulator for generating each pulse of the series of electrical pulses at a duration generally fixed at 300 microseconds, and a governor for regulating the electrical pulses such that at least one of current so as not to exceed 4. 4 milliamps RMS or power so as not to exceed 9. 6 MW RMS. The electrical pulses selectively stimulate muscles located proximate to the selectively placed electrodes to initiate swallowing.

7039468, May 2, 2006

Feb 27, 2003

10/375407

Marcy L. Freed - Pepper Pike OH, US
Leonard A. Freed - Kailua HI, US
Michael O. Christian - Beachwood OH, US
Howard Tucker - Cleveland Heights OH, US
Bernard Kotton - Beachwood OH, US
Erol M. Beytas - Beachwood OH, US
Ed Dunlay - Hixson TN, US
Tim Kretschmer - Wabasha MN, US
Marie Asmar - Richmond Heights OH, US

ESD Limited Liability Company - Marysville WA

A61N 1/04

607 72, 600392

A simple, non-invasive method and apparatus for treating oropharyngeal disorders provides electrical stimulation to the oropharyngeal region of a patient. The apparatus includes an electrical neuromuscular stimulator that includes a pulse generator for generating a series of electrical pulses and a processor coupled to the pulse generator for controlling its operation. The apparatus also includes a first electrode and a second electrode, each of which includes a snap eyelet having a connector to which a lead wire may be attached, a conductive film and an adhesive and conductive gel layer that is adapted to be attached to the skin of the patient. The apparatus also includes at least one lead wire for attachment of the electrodes to the pulse generator and at least one adhesively backed tape overlay for securing the first and second electrodes to the skin of the patient. According to the method, the electrodes are placed on the skin of the patient's throat, and the electrodes are secured to the skin of the patient's throat by applying at least one adhesively backed tape overlay to the patient's skin over at least a portion of each of the electrodes. The lead wires are attached to the connectors of the snap eyelets of the electrodes and to the output jack of the pulse generator, and a series of electrical pulses is generated using the pulse generator so as to apply the series of electrical pulses to the patient's throat using the electrodes.

5725564, Mar 10, 1998

Oct 27, 1995

8/549046

Marcy L. Freed - Pepper Pike OH
Leonard A. Freed - Kailua HI
Michael O. Christian - Beachwood OH
Howard Tucker - Cleveland Heights OH
Bernard Kotton - Beachwood OH
Erol M. Beytas - Beachwood OH
Marie Asmar - Richmond Heights OH

ESD Limited Liability Company - Beachwood OH

A61N 118

607 72

This invention is directed to a simple, non-invasive method and device for treating dysphagia and artificially promoting swallowing by electrical stimulus. In the present invention, a plurality of electrodes are selectively placed in electrical contact with tissue of a pharyngeal region of patient and a series of electrical pulses in electrical contact with each of the plurality of electrodes with a generator. The generator includes a pulse rate modulator for generating each of the electrical pulses having a frequency generally fixed at 80 hertz, a pulse width modulator for generating each pulse of the series of electrical pulses at a duration generally fixed at 300 microseconds, and a governor for regulating the electrical pulses such that at least one of current so as not to exceed 4. 4 milliamps RMS or power so as not to exceed 9. 6 MW RMS. The electrical pulses selectively stimulate muscles located proximate to the selectively placed electrodes to initiate swallowing.

5891185, Apr 6, 1999

Nov 10, 1997

8/966580

Marcy L. Freed - Pepper Pike OH
Leonard A. Freed - Kailua HI
Michael O. Christian - Beachwood OH
Howard Tucker - Cleveland Heights OH
Bernard Kotton - Beachwood OH
Erol M. Beytas - Beachwood OH
Marie Asmar - Richmond Heights OH

ESD Limited Liability Company - Beachwood OH

A61N 118

607 72

A simple, non-invasive device and method for treating oropharyngeal disorders provides electrical stimulation to the pharyngeal region of a patient. Oropharyngeal disorders may cause an inability to swallow or difficulty in swallowing. The method and device provide an effective and non-invasive treatment for these disorders which is substantially more effective than traditional treatment methods, such as thermal stimulation. The method and device also effectively treat worst-case dysphagia (the inability to swallow) resulting from neurodegeneration and strokes. The device, an electrical pharyngeal neuromuscular stimulator, includes one or more pulse generators for generating a series of electrical pulses and a processor coupled to the pulse generators for controlling their operation. A switching network is also coupled to the pulse generators. The switching network directs series of electrical pulses respectively generated by the pulse generators to an electrode array positioned on the tissue of a patient's pharyngeal region.

6104958, Aug 15, 2000

Jul 19, 1999

9/357173

Marcy L. Freed - Pepper Pike OH
Leonard A. Freed - Kailua HI
Michael O. Christian - Beachwood OH
Howard Tucker - Cleveland Heights OH
Bernard Kotton - Beachwood OH
Erol M. Beytas - Beachwood OH
Marie Asmar - Richmond Heights OH

ESD Limited Liability Company - Beachwood OH

A61N 118

607 72

This invention is directed to a simple, non-invasive method and device for treating dysphagia and artificially promoting swallowing by electrical stimulus. In the present invention, a plurality of electrodes are selectively placed in electrical contact with tissue of a pharyngeal region of patient and a series of electrical pulses in electrical contact with each of the plurality of electrodes with a generator. The generator includes a pulse rate modulator for generating each of the electrical pulses having a frequency generally fixed at 80 hertz, a pulse width modulator for generating each pulse of the series of electrical pulses at a duration generally fixed at 300 microseconds, and a governor for regulating the electrical pulses such that at least one of current so as not to exceed 4. 4 milliamps RMS or power so as not to exceed 9. 6 MW RMS. The electrical pulses selectively stimulate muscles located proximate to the selectively placed electrodes to initiate swallowing.