Illustration of treatment for sleep apnea by electric stimulation. The pacemaker consists of two implanted electrodes. The first, placed between the ribs, detects the movement made by inhalation then emits a signal to the pacemaker. It then transmits an electrical impulse to the second electrode placed under the clavicle. This electrode stimulates the lingual nerve so that the tongue moves forward slightly to prevent apnea. At the end of inhalation, the stimulation stops.