Altering the stiffness, size and/or shape of tissues for breathing disorders and other conditions
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for treating a sleep-related breathing disorder of a patient, the patient having an anterior pharyngeal wall, a posterior pharyngeal wall, and lateral pharyngeal walls extending therebetween, the method comprising:
- attaching a material to the lateral pharyngeal walls;
applying a field to the attached material so that, during nighttime, the attached material inhibits the sleep-related breathing disorder of the patient; and
removing the field from the attached material during daytime.
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Abstract
Medical devices, systems, and methods mitigate a variety of disorders, including sleep-related breathing disorders. A stiffness, shape, and/or size of a reinforced tissue structure can be altered by applying a magnetic field and/or electrical field. The upper airway can be remodeled at night while maintaining physiological movement (such as swallowing, speaking, singing, and the like) when awake. Biasing of the tissue structures may also be employed.
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Citations
85 Claims
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1. A method for treating a sleep-related breathing disorder of a patient, the patient having an anterior pharyngeal wall, a posterior pharyngeal wall, and lateral pharyngeal walls extending therebetween, the method comprising:
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attaching a material to the lateral pharyngeal walls;
applying a field to the attached material so that, during nighttime, the attached material inhibits the sleep-related breathing disorder of the patient; and
removing the field from the attached material during daytime. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27)
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14. A system for treating a sleep-related breathing disorder of a patient, the patient having an anterior pharyngeal wall, a posterior pharyngeal wall, and lateral pharyngeal walls extending therebetween, the system comprising:
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a material having a form suitable for attaching to the lateral pharyngeal walls; and
a source for removably applying a field to the lateral pharyngeal walls;
wherein, when the material is attached to the lateral pharyngeal walls;
the material inhibits the sleep-related breathing disorder of the patient when the field is applied, and removal of the field facilitates speaking or swallowing. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28)
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29. A method for inhibiting a sleep-related breathing disorder of a patient, the patient having an airway with an airway wall, the method comprising:
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attaching a material to the airway wall; and
reversibly stiffening the attached material so that the stiffened attached material mitigates the sleep-related breathing disorder. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51)
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52. A system for inhibiting a sleep-related breathing disorder of a patient, the patient having an airway with an airway wall, the system comprising:
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a material configured to be attached to an adjacent region of the airway wall, the material having a first configuration and second configuration, the material in the first configuration allowing the adjacent region to deform during physiological movement when the material is attached to the airway wall, the attached material in the second configuration having a stiffness inhibiting hypermobility or resonant movement of the adjacent region sufficiently to mitigate the sleep-related breathing disorder; and
a source for generating a field, the field capable of reversibly changing the material between the first configuration and the second configuration. - View Dependent Claims (53, 54, 55)
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- 56. The system of claim 56, wherein the change in configuration does not impart a desired shape on the attached material so that the attached material does not impose a force against the airway wall after stiffening and prior to movement of the airway wall.
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79. A method for treating a sleep-related breathing disorder of a patient, the patient having pharyngeal walls, the method comprising:
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attaching a magneto-rheostatic material to the pharyngeal walls;
applying a magnetic field to the attached material so that, during nighttime, stiffening of the attached material inhibits the sleep-related breathing disorder of the patient; and
removing the magnetic field from the attached material during daytime.
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80. A method for treating a patient, the patient having a tissue, the method comprising:
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attaching a magneto-rheostatic material to the tissue; and
reversibly stiffening the attached material by applying a magnetic field to the attached material. - View Dependent Claims (81)
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82. A system comprising:
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a material configured to be attached to a tissue of a patient, the material comprising a magneto-rheostatic material having a first configuration and a second configuration, the material in the first configuration having sufficient flexibility to deform with physiological movement when the material is attached to the tissue, the attached material in the second configuration having a stiffness that is greater than in the first configuration; and
a source generating a magnetic field, the field capable of reversibly changing the material between the first configuration and a second configuration when the material is attached to the tissue. - View Dependent Claims (83)
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84. A method for inhibiting a sleep-related breathing disorder of a patient, the patient having an airway with an airway wall, the method comprising:
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attaching a material to the airway wall;
monitoring breathing of the patient; and
reversibly stiffening, re-sizing, or re-shaping the attached material in response to the monitoring so that the attached material mitigates the sleep-related breathing disorder.
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85. A system for inhibiting a sleep-related breathing disorder of a patient, the patient having an airway with an airway wall, the system comprising:
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a sensor for monitoring the patient;
a material configured to be attached to the airway wall, the material having a first configuration and second configuration, the material in the first configuration facilitating physiological movement when the material is attached to the airway wall, the attached material in the second configuration having a stiffness, shape, or size inhibiting hypermobility or resonant movement of the adjacent region sufficiently to mitigate the sleep-related breathing disorder; and
a source coupled to the sensor, the source generating a field.capable of reversibly changing the material between the first configuration and the second configuration in response to the monitored patient.
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Specification