Patent · US Active

Methods and systems for creating pressure gradients to improve airway patency

US8074656B2 · kind B2 · utility

23Cited by

22References

19Claims

0Family size

Assignee

Apnicure, Inc. · US

Inventors

Matthias Vaska · Palo Alto, US
Jonathan L. Podmore · San Francisco, US
John Edwards Crowe · Menlo Park, US

Key dates

Filing date	Nov 12, 2008
Grant date	Dec 13, 2011
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Apr 25, 2030

Classification

Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
CPC primaryA61F5/566
WIPO fieldMedical technology
WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An oral device for improving airway patency comprises a tongue constraint and a negative pressure source. The tongue constraint engages the patient's tongue to maintain a clear region below the palate in an oral cavity. By applying a negative pressure in the clear region, an airway behind the soft palate or tongue of the patient can be maintained. The tongue constraint is usually connected to an anchor. The anchor may be held between the patient's teeth or may engage the inferior surface of the palate. Another oral device for improving airway patency comprises a lateral tongue structure and a negative pressure source.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.