System and method for preventing closure of passageways

• US 4,978,323 A
• Filed: 08/10/1989
• Issued: 12/18/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: George Freedman
• Original Assignee: George Freedman
• Inventors: Freedman, George
• Primary Examiner(s): Green, Randall L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Willse, David H.
• Application Number:
  US07/392,054
• Time in Patent Office: 495 Days
• Field of Search: 600/12, 600/15, 128/848, 128/859, 128/671, 623/9, 623/11
• US Class Current: 600/12
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/00 Filters implantable into blood vessels; Prostheses, i.e. artificial substitutes or replacements for parts of the body; Appliances for connecting them with the body; Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents as cosmetic articles, see the relevant subclasses, e.g. wigs, hair pieces, A41G3/00, A41G5/00; artificial nails A45D31/00; dental prostheses A61C13/00; materials for prostheses A61L27/00; artificial hearts A61M60/00; artificial kidneys A61M1/14
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/009 magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/56 Devices for preventing snoring by influencing the respiratory system by gas treatment A61M16/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0127 Magnetic means; Magnetic markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/06 using magnetic fields produced by permanent magnets A61N2/12 takes precedence

Abstract

An apparatus and method are provided which utilize either the attracting forces of dissimilar pole magnets, or the repelling forces of similar pole magnets, to keep passageways open in living organisms. These passageways might otherwise collapse and close involuntarily due to dysfunction, thus impeding flow of vital gaseous or liquid fluids. Embodiments are described for both permanently implanted and for removable magnets, which may or may not interact with externally attached magnets, thus maximizing the convenience of utilizing this system for the patient. A method of preventing accidental extubation is also described.

Claims

1. A method for preventing involuntary closure of airway passageways in humans and animals in which the airway consists of tubular walls of tissue wherein at least one region of said wall tissue is relatively soft and movable and an opposite region is relatively rigid, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) disposing a first magnet adjacent said soft region for generating a first magnetic field within said airway;

(b) implanting a second magnet within said soft region of said passageway and nearer said rigid region than said first magnet for generating a second magnetic field which reacts with said first field to exert a force which acts against said soft tissue in a direction away from closure of said airway.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first magnet is externally attached and oriented, so that a surface of the second magnet facing the first magnet is of opposite magnetic polarity to that of the first magnet.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the first magnet is externally retained adjacent said soft region by a retainer means.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the second magnet is implanted in the soft palate tissue.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the second magnet is implanted in the soft tissue at the merger of the oral and nasal airways.