Method for adjusting tissue anchors

• US 20060207606A1
• Filed: 02/07/2006
• Published: 09/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• 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
• Application Number:
  US11/349,044
• Publication Number:
  US 20060207606A1
• 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. A method for treating a patient, comprising:

providing a tongue remodeling system, the system comprising at least one tether support and at least one tongue element, the at least one tongue element having at least one tissue engaging structure joined to at least one tether having a length and a tension;

accessing a region about the mandible;

positioning the tissue engaging structure within a tongue; and

attaching the at least one tether support to the mandible;

wherein the at least one tether of the at least one tongue element is attached to the at least one tether support, the at least one tether support comprising an adjustable tether interface.

2. The method of treating a patient as in claim 1, further comprising:

accessing the adjustable tether interface; and

adjusting the length of the at least one tether between the tissue engaging structure and the adjustable tether interface.

3. The method of treating a patient as in claim 2, wherein adjusting the length of the at least one tether comprises decreasing the tension of the at least one tether.

4. The method of treating a patient as in claim 2, wherein adjusting the length of the at least one tether comprises increasing the tension of the at least one tether.

5. The method of treating a patient as in claim 2, wherein adjusting the length of the at least one tether comprises adjusting the dynamic response of the at least one tether.

6. The method of treating a patient as in claim 1, wherein the at least one tether of the at least one tongue element is releasably attached to the at least one tether support.

7. A method for treating a patient, comprising:

accessing an adjustment assembly of a patient with an implanted adjustable tongue remodeling system comprising the adjustment assembly and one or more tongue elements inserted through the tongue;

wherein at least one tongue element comprises an anchor and a tether secured to the adjustment assembly at a securing point on the adjustment assembly; and

adjusting one or more tongue elements by manipulating the adjustment assembly.

8. The method for treating a patient as in claim 7, wherein said adjusting comprises altering the relative configuration of the adjustment assembly.

9. The method for treating a patient as in claim 8, wherein said adjusting comprises moving the securing point of the adjustment assembly.

10. The method for treating a patient as in claim 7, wherein said adjusting comprises altering the length of the tether between the anchor and the securing point of the adjustment assembly.

11. The method for treating a patient as in claim 10, wherein said adjusting is performed without unsecuring the tether from the securing point of the adjustment assembly.

12. The method for treating a patient as in claim 7, further comprising securing the adjustment assembly to a mandible.

13. The method for treating a patient as in claim 7, wherein the adjustment assembly comprises a rotational component.

14. The method of treating a patient as in claim 13, wherein the rotational component comprises a spool.

15. A method for treating a patient, comprising:

providing a tongue element having an attachment end and a tissue-engaging end;

inserting the tissue-engaging end into a tongue; and

securing the attachment end of the tongue element to a body structure using an adjustment assembly.

16. The method for treating a patient as in claim 15, wherein the attachment end is a tether comprising a first portion with a length between the tissue-engaging end and the adjustment assembly and a second portion about the adjustment assembly, and wherein the length between the tissue-engaging end and the adjustment assembly is adjustable by the adjustment assembly.

17. The method for treating a patient as in claim 15, wherein the adjustment assembly is a rotation assembly.

18. The method for treating a patient as in claim 17, wherein the rotation assembly is a spool assembly.

19. The method for treating a patient as in claim 17, wherein the rotation assembly is a helical assembly.

20. The method for treating a patient as in claim 15, wherein the adjustment assembly is a slide assembly.

21. The method for treating a patient as in claim 15, wherein the adjustment assembly is a pivot assembly.

22. The method for treating a patient as in claim 16, wherein the tongue is engaged with a tissue engaging structure attached about the first portion of the tether.

23. The method for treating a patient as in claim 22, wherein the tongue is engaged with a tissue anchor that pierces through tongue tissue.

24. The method for treating a patient as in claim 16, wherein tension in the first portions of the tether is adjustable while the second portion of the tether remains attached to the body structure.

25. The method for treating a patient as in claim 15, wherein the body structure is the mandible.

26. The method for treating a patient as in claim 25, wherein the attachment end of the tongue element is secured through a bone screw.

27. The method for treating a patient as in claim 15, wherein the adjustment assembly comprises a moving part, a non-moving part and a movement interface between the moving part and the non-moving part.

28. The method for treating a patient as in claim 15, wherein the adjustment assembly comprises a positionable tongue element attachment site.

29. The method for treating a patient as in claim 15, wherein the adjustment assembly comprises a locking member.

30. A method for manipulating soft tissue, comprising:

accessing an adjustment structure attached to at least one tissue anchor by a connector, the at least one tissue anchor engaging the soft tissue and the adjustment structure being fixed relative to a body structure, the connector having a length between the at least one tissue anchor and the adjustment structure; and

changing the length of the connector between the at least one tissue anchor and the adjustment structure by manipulating the adjustment structure without detaching the at least one tissue anchor from the adjustment structure.

31. The method for manipulating soft tissue as in claim 30, wherein the tissue anchor is at least partially located within the tongue.

32. The method for manipulating soft tissue as in claim 30, wherein the adjustment structure is fixed relative to a mandible.

33. The method for manipulating soft tissue as in claim 30, wherein the tissue anchor is at least partially located within the soft palate.

34. The method for manipulating soft tissue as in claim 30, wherein the adjustment structure is fixed relative to a hard palate.