Method and apparatus to treat conditions of the naso-pharyngeal area

• US 6,971,396 B2
• Filed: 07/29/2003
• Issued: 12/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Xomed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Restore Medical, Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Knudson, Mark B., Tweden, Katherine S., Conrad, Timothy R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kindenburg, Max F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Veniaminov, Nikita R.
• Application Number:
  US10/629,145
• Publication Number:
  US 20040020497A1
• Time in Patent Office: 861 Days
• Field of Search: 128/897, 128/898, 128/200, 128/243, 424/434, 424/423, 523/115, 623/23, 623/73, 600/12
• US Class Current: 128/898
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0059 Cosmetic or alloplastic implants A61F2/10 - A61F2/16, A61F2/28 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/56 Devices for preventing snoring by influencing the respiratory system by gas treatment A61M16/00

Abstract

A patient'"'"'s upper airway condition such as snoring and sleep apnea is treated by selecting a particulate material selected for limited migration within tissue and for encouraging a fibrotic response of tissue to the material. A bolus of the particulate material is injected into the tissue area to structurally stiffen the tissue.

Claims

1. A method for treating obstructive sleep apnea, said method comprising:

identifying a patient as having obstructive sleep apnea;

selecting an implant sized to be implanted into a soft palate of said patient, said implant having characteristics for said implant to stiffen said soft palate;

implanting said implant into said tissue of said soft palate to stiffen said soft palate.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said implant is a bolus of a particulate material selected for limited migration within said tissue and for encouraging a fibrotic response of tissue to said material.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein said implant is a longitudinal implant of biocompatible material.

4. A method according to claim 3 wherein said implant is a braid of biocompatible fibers.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein said implant is selected to induce a fibrosis and said stiffening is associated at least in part with said fibrosis.