Devices and methods for treating sleep disorders
First Claim
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1. A device for maintaining an open airway comprising:
- a body portion configured for application along a front portion of a patient'"'"'s neck, the body portion having a perimeter, an outside surface, and an inside surface;
an adhesive provided along the inside surface such that the body portion is configured for adhesive engagement with the front portion of the patient'"'"'s neck; and
a traction application mechanism configured to apply traction in one or both of inferior and anterior directions to tissues in contact with the adhesive layer.
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Abstract
Devices and methods for maintaining an open airway are described. Systems and methods are described for maintaining an opening of an airway by application of force to a patient'"'"'s tissues in one of inferior, anterior, and lateral directions.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1. A device for maintaining an open airway comprising:
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a body portion configured for application along a front portion of a patient'"'"'s neck, the body portion having a perimeter, an outside surface, and an inside surface;
an adhesive provided along the inside surface such that the body portion is configured for adhesive engagement with the front portion of the patient'"'"'s neck; and
a traction application mechanism configured to apply traction in one or both of inferior and anterior directions to tissues in contact with the adhesive layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of maintaining an open airway comprising:
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providing a body portion having a perimeter, an outside surface, and an inside surface with an adhesive thereon;
providing a traction application mechanism to the body portion;
applying the inside surface to a front portion of a patient'"'"'s neck with the adhesive; and
applying traction in one or both of inferior and anterior directions to tissues in contact with the adhesive layer with the traction application mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of maintaining an open airway comprising:
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providing a first tension member and a second tension member, each tension member having a first end and a second end;
securing a first end of each tension member to a patient'"'"'s hyoid bone; and
securing a second end of each tension member to surrounding anatomical structure such that the tension members pull the hyoid bone in anterior and inferior directions, thereby increasing a luminal size of the airway. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A method of maintaining an open airway comprising:
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providing a first magnet and a second magnet, each magnet having a first end and a second end;
implanting and securing the first magnet at a location proximate a patient'"'"'s hyoid bone; and
providing the second magnet at an external location along a patient'"'"'s neck such that forces between the first and second magnets displace the hyoid bone in one or both of inferior and anterior directions, thereby increasing a luminal size of the airway. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification