Glassoplasty using tissue anchor glossopexy with volumetric tongue reduction

US9393067B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• KONINIKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V. · NL

Inventors

• Erik van der Burg · Sunnyvale, US
• Beverly Tucker Woodson · Fergus Falls, US
• Michael Dineen · Portola Valley, US
• Mark Hirotsuka · San Jose, US
• Jasper Jackson · Fort Bragg, US
• Andrew Frazier · Sunnyvale, US
• Chad C. Roue · Livermore, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 2, 2012
• Grant date: Jul 19, 2016
• Expiry date: Sep 24, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B2018/00327
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Methods and devices are disclosed for remodeling the tongue. One or more spaces or cavities are formed in the tongue using, for example, surgical or RF ablative techniques. The cavities can be closed or collapsed by inserting a tethered soft tissue anchor into the tongue and attaching the tethered portion of the soft tissue anchor to a bony structure such as the mandible or hyoid bone in order to exert a collapsing force on the one or more spaces or cavities. The insertion pathway of the tethered soft tissue anchor may pass adjacent to or even through one or more cavities. Also disclosed herein is a tongue remodeling system that includes means for creating a space in the tongue, and a tissue anchor configured to close the space. The tissue anchor may be tethered or expandable.