Hypoglossal nerve stimulation was investigated as a method to relieve an induced upper airway obstruction. Six dogs were implanted with a cuff electrode applied to each hypoglossal nerve and a pulse generator. After 4 weeks, the hypoglossal nerve was stimulated (50% duty cycle) for up to 8 weeks. At 12 weeks a double tracheotomy was placed, with a negative pressure intermittently applied to the upper limb, simulating inspiratory airway pressure. Unilateral hypoglossal nerve stimulation improved peak upper airway flow from an average of 0.1 L/s to 1.6 L/s (P = 0.0001). Seventy-seven percent of the maximum possible flow (explanted tracheotomy tube) was obtained with unilateral stimulation. Histopathological evaluation revealed no nerve damage secondary to chronic stimulation. This study provides support for clinical trials of hypoglossal stimulation for obstructive sleep apnea.
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机译：对舌下神经刺激进行了研究，以缓解上呼吸道阻塞。六只狗植入了一个套扎在每个舌下神经上的袖带电极和一个脉冲发生器。 4周后，舌下神经受到刺激（50％的工作循环）长达8周。在第12周时，进行双重气管切开术，间歇性地对上肢施加负压，以模拟吸气道压力。单侧舌下神经刺激可使上呼吸道峰值流量从平均0.1 L / s提高到1.6 L / s（P = 0.0001）。单侧刺激获得最大可能流量的77％（气管切开管植入）。组织病理学评估显示，慢性刺激未引起神经损伤。这项研究为阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低舌刺激的临床试验提供了支持。
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