Airway implants and methods and devices for insertion and retrieval
US8096303B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 8, 2007 |
| Grant date | Jan 17, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 6, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F5/56
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and devices for the treatment of airway obstruction, such as obstructive sleep apnea, and devices and methods that facilitate insertion and retrieval of the same. In one embodiment, disclosed is a tissue tensioner that includes an elongate flexible tether having a first end and a second end, a bone anchor configured to be connected to a patient's mandible, a tissue ingrowth implant configured to be implanted in a patient's tongue and connected to the second end of the tether, and an adjustment mechanism configured to be held by the bone anchor adjacent the patient's mandible and configured to receive the first end of the tether and configured to adjust tension in the flexible tether between the patient's mandible and tongue. Various anchors, tethers, securement mechanisms, and adjustment mechanisms that can be used with glossal and palatal remodeling systems are also disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.