System for adjustable tissue anchors

• US 20060201519A1
• Filed: 02/07/2006
• Published: 09/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Frazier, Andrew, Jackson, Jasper, Dineen, Michael, Hirotsuka, Mark, Roue, Chad C., Burg, Erik van der
• Granted Patent: US 7,975,700 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/848
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/02 for holding wounds open; Tractors specula A61B1/32 ; drainage appliances for wounds A61M27/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0401 Suture anchors, buttons or pledgets, i.e. means for attaching sutures to bone, cartilage or soft tissue; Instruments for applying or removing suture anchors A61B17/0642 takes precedence; fixation devices for tendons or ligaments A61F2/0811
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0487 Suture clamps, clips or locks, e.g. for replacing suture knots; Instruments for applying or removing suture clamps, clips or locks suture anchors A61B17/0401; wound clamps or clips A61B17/08; ligaturing clamps or clips A61B17/122
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/24 for use in the oral cavity, larynx, bronchial passages or nose for medical inspection of cavities or tubes in the body A61B1/00; Tongue scrapers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable or resorptive
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00814 Surgery of the tongue, e.g. glossoplasty
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00862 elastic or resilient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00986 Malecots, e.g. slotted tubes, of which the distal end is pulled to deflect side struts
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0403 Dowels
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0409 Instruments for applying suture anchors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0412 having anchoring barbs or pins extending outwardly from suture anchor body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0414 having a suture-receiving opening, e.g. lateral opening
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0417 T-fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/042 plastically deformed during insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0422 by insertion of a separate member into the body of the anchor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0427 having anchoring barbs or pins extending outwardly from the anchor body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0433 the anchor or the separate member comprising threads, e.g. a set screw or a worm gear for moving spreading members
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0435 the barbs being separate elements mechanically linked to the anchor, e.g. by pivots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0437 the barbs being resilient or spring-like
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0438 slotted, i.e. having a longitudinal slot for enhancing their elasticity
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/044 : with a threaded shaft, e.g. screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0451 : Cams or wedges holding the suture by friction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0454 : the anchor being crimped or clamped on the suture
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0458 : Longitudinal through hole, e.g. suture blocked by a distal suture knot
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0461 : with features cooperating with special features on the suture, e.g. protrusions on the suture
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0462 : One way system, i.e. also tensioning the suture
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0464 : for soft tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0496 : for tensioning sutures
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/56 : Devices for preventing snoring by influencing the respiratory system by gas treatment A61M16/00

Abstract

Methods and devices are disclosed for manipulating the tongue. An implant is positioned within at least a portion of the tongue and may be secured to other surrounding structures such as the mandible and/or hyoid bone. In general, the implant is manipulated to displace at least a portion of the posterior tongue in an anterior or lateral direction, or to alter the tissue tension or compliance of the tongue. Methods and devices are also disclosed for manipulating other soft tissue structures, including the soft palate and pharyngeal airway.

Claims

1. An implantable device for manipulating soft tissue, comprising:

at least one tissue engaging structure;

an elongate member attached to the at least one tissue anchor; and

a securing assembly comprising a bony attachment structure and a movable securing member, wherein the movable securing member is adapted to be movable relative to the bony attachment structure while the elongate member is secured to the movable securing member.

2. The implantable device for manipulating soft tissue as in claim 1, wherein the tissue engaging structure is an anchor adapted to pierce the soft tissue.

3. The implantable device for manipulating soft tissue as in claim 1, wherein the movable securing member is rotatable.

4. The implantable device for manipulating soft tissue as in claim 1, wherein the movable securing member is slidable.

5. The implantable device for manipulating soft tissue as in claim 1, wherein the movable securing member is pivotable.

6. The implantable device for manipulating soft tissue as in claim 2, wherein the movable securing member is a rotatable hub.

7. The implantable device for manipulating soft tissue as in claim 6, wherein the rotatable hub is a spool.

8. The implantable device for manipulating soft tissue as in claim 1, wherein the bony attachment structure is adapted for attachment to the mandible.

9. The implantable device for manipulating soft tissue as in claim 8, wherein the bony attachment structure is adapted for insertion into the mandible.

10. The implantable device for manipulating soft tissue as in claim 1, wherein the bony attachment structure has a cylindrical configuration and a threaded outer surface.

11. The implantable device for manipulating soft tissue as in claim 1, wherein the securing assembly further comprises a moving interface component adapted to move the movable securing member.

12. The implantable device for manipulating soft tissue as in claim 11, wherein the bony attachment structure comprises an internal sealable cavity and the movable securing member comprises a fluid seal adapted to provide a sliding seal within the internal sealable cavity of the bony attachment structure.

13. The implantable device for manipulating soft tissue as in claim 12, wherein the bony attachment structure further comprises a pierceable membrane for accessing the internal sealable cavity.

14. The implantable device for manipulating soft tissue as in claim 11, wherein the bony attachment structure comprises a threaded cylindrical internal cavity and the movable securing member comprises a cylinder having outer threads complementary to the threaded cylindrical internal cavity of the bony attachment structure and a rotatably attached securing interface.

15. The implantable device for manipulating soft tissue as in claim 14, wherein the bony attachment structure further comprises a longitudinal groove and the rotatably attached securing interface comprises a protrusion having a complementary configuration to the longitudinal groove of the bony attachment structure.

16. The implantable device for manipulating soft tissue as in claim 11, wherein the bony attachment structure comprises an internal friction cavity and the movable securing member comprises a friction surface configured to provide a frictional fit within the internal friction cavity of the bony attachment structure.

17. The implantable device for manipulating soft tissue as in claim 16, wherein the movable securing member is adapted to provide a sliding frictional fit within the internal friction cavity of the bony attachment structure.

18. The implantable device for manipulating soft tissue as in claim 16, wherein the movable securing member further comprises a manipulation interface adapted to reversibly engage a manipulation tool.

19. The implantable device for manipulating soft tissue as in claim 11, wherein the bony attachment structure comprises an internal tapered cavity and the movable securing member comprises a base with at least two radially inwardly deflectable prongs adapted to engage the elongate member.

20. An implantable device for manipulating soft tissue, comprising:

at least one tissue anchor;

an elongate member attached to the at least one tissue anchor; and

a securing assembly comprising a bony attachment structure and a rotational securing structure.

21. The implantable device for manipulating soft tissue as in claim 20, wherein the rotational securing structure is a spool.

22. A device for manipulating the tongue, comprising a variable pitch spiral having a first portion with a first pitch and a second portion with a second pitch, the spiral comprising a biocompatible material dimensioned to fit within a tongue.

23. The device for manipulating the tongue as in claim 22, wherein the first portion has a wide pitch and the second portion has a narrow pitch.

24. The device for manipulating the tongue as in claim 22, wherein the first portion has a narrow pitch and the second portion has a wide pitch.

25. An implantable device for manipulating soft tissue, comprising:

at least one tissue anchor;

a securing assembly comprising a bony attachment structure;

an elongate member attached to the at least one tissue anchor and having a length between the at least one tissue anchor and the securing assembly; and

a means for adjusting the length of the elongate member.

26. The implantable device for manipulating soft tissue as in claim 25, wherein the securing assembly further comprises the means for adjusting the length of the elongate member.