Implantable devices, systems, and methods for maintaining desired orientations in targeted tissue regions

• US 20080066766A1
• Filed: 06/18/2007
• Published: 03/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Apneon, Inc.
• Inventors: Paraschac, Joseph, Nelson, Lionel
• Granted Patent: US 8,707,959 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/848
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/56 Devices for preventing snoring by influencing the respiratory system by gas treatment A61M16/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/566 Intra-oral devices

Abstract

At least one implant structure is sized and configured for implantation in, on, or near an extrinsic muscle region affecting movement and/or shape of a tongue, e.g., a genioglossus muscle. The position of the implant structure is stabilized relative to the extrinsic muscle region to maintain the tongue in a desired orientation, e.g., to maintain patency of an airway.

Claims

1. An implant system comprising

at least one implant structure sized and configured for implantation in, on, or near an extrinsic muscle region affecting movement and/or shape of a tongue, and means for stabilizing the position of the implant structure relative to the extrinsic muscle region to maintain the tongue in a desired orientation.

2. An implant system according to claim 1

wherein the means for stabilizing comprises at least one anchoring component sized and configured to couple the implant structure to a mandible.

3. An implant system according to claim 2

wherein the implant structure comprises a bracing member overlaying, at least in part, the extrinsic muscle region beneath the tongue.

4. An implant system according to claim 2

wherein the implant structure comprises a spring member extending within the extrinsic muscle region beneath the tongue.

5. An implant structure according to claim 2

wherein the implant structure comprises an elastomeric structure extending within the extrinsic muscle region beneath the tongue.

6. An implant system according to claim 1

wherein the means for stabilizing comprises at least one anchoring component sized and configured to couple the implant structure to a tissue region.

7. An implant system according to claim 6

wherein the implant structure comprises a hooking member extending through the extrinsic muscle region beneath the tongue.

8. An implant system according to claim 6

wherein the implant structure comprises a spring member extending within the extrinsic muscle region beneath the tongue.

9. An implant structure according to claim 6 wherein the implant structure comprises an elastomeric structure extending within the extrinsic muscle beneath the tongue.

10. An implant system according to claim 1

wherein the implant structure comprises a bracing member overlaying, at least in part, the extrinsic muscle region beneath the tongue.

11. An implant system according to claim 1

wherein the implant structure includes a bracing member that spans the extrinsic muscle region beneath the tongue.

12. An implant system according to claim 1

wherein the implant structure includes a bracing member sized and configured to deflect the extrinsic muscle region beneath the tongue.

13. An implant system according to claim 10

wherein the means for stabilizing includes at least one anchoring component sized and configured to couple the bracing member to a mandible.

14. An implant system according to claim 13

wherein the anchoring component includes a screw.

15. An implant system according to claim 13

wherein the anchoring component includes an adhesive material.

16. An implant system according to claim 1

wherein the implant structure comprises a hooking member extending through the extrinsic muscle region beneath the tongue.

17. An implant system according to claim 1

wherein the implant structure comprises a hooking member overlaying, at least in part, the extrinsic muscle region beneath the tongue.

18. An implant system according to claim 1

wherein the implant structure includes a hooking member sized and configured to deflect the extrinsic muscle region beneath the tongue.

19. An implant system according to claim 16

wherein the means for stabilizing comprises an anchoring component coupled to the hooking member.

20. An implant system according to claim 19

wherein the anchoring component is sized and configured to accommodate fixation in tissue adjacent the extrinsic muscle region.

21. An implant system according to claim 19

wherein the anchoring component is sized and configured to accommodate fixation in tissue beneath the extrinsic muscle region.

22. An implant system according to claim 19

wherein the anchoring component is sized and configured to accommodate placement in a tissue pocket formed beneath the extrinsic muscle region.

23. An implant system according to claim 1

wherein the implant structure comprises a spring member extending within the extrinsic muscle region beneath the tongue.

24. An implant system according to claim 23

wherein the means for stabilizing includes at least one anchoring component sized and configured to couple the spring member to a mandible.

25. An implant system according to claim 23

wherein the means for stabilizing includes at least one anchoring component sized and configured to couple the spring member to a tissue region.

26. An implant system according to claim 1

wherein the implant structure comprises an elastomeric member extending within the extrinsic muscle region beneath the tongue.

27. An implant system according to claim 26

wherein the means for stabilizing includes at least one anchoring component sized and configured to couple the elastomeric member to a mandible.

28. An implant system according to claim 26

wherein the means for stabilizing includes at least one anchoring component sized and configured to couple the elastomeric member to a tissue region.

29. An implant system according to claim 1

wherein the extrinsic muscle region comprises a genioglossus muscle.

30. An implant system according to claim 29

wherein the implant structure comprises a bracing member overlaying, at least in part, the genioglossus muscle.

31. An implant system according to claim 29

wherein the implant structure comprises a spring member extending within the genioglossus muscle.

32. An implant system according to claim 29

wherein the implant structure comprises an elastomeric structure extending within the genioglossus muscle.

33. An implant system according to claim 29

wherein the implant structure comprises a hooking member extending through the genioglossus muscle.

34. An implant system according to claim 29

wherein the implant structure is sized and configured to deflect the genioglossus muscle caudially.

35. A method comprising

selecting an extrinsic muscle region affecting movement and/or shape of a tongue,

implanting at least one implant structure in, on, or near the extrinsic muscle region, and

anchoring the implant structure to maintain the tongue in a desired orientation.

36. A method according to claim 35

wherein the implant structure comprises a bracing member overlaying, at least in part, the extrinsic muscle region beneath the tongue.

37. A method according to claim 35

wherein the implant structure comprises a spring member extending within the extrinsic muscle region beneath the tongue.

38. A method according to claim 35

wherein the implant structure comprises an elastomeric structure extending within the extrinsic muscle region beneath the tongue.

39. A method according to claim 35

wherein the implant structure comprises a hooking member extending through the extrinsic muscle region beneath the tongue.

40. A method according to claim 35

wherein a genioglossus muscle is selected.

41. A method according to claim 35

wherein maintaining the tongue in a desired orientation maintains patency of an airway.