Airway implant

• US 7,237,554 B2
• Filed: 10/31/2003
• Issued: 07/03/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Xomed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Restore Medical, Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Conrad, Timothy R., Sopp, John P., Erickson, Brian J., Critzer, Susan L., Metzger, Anja K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Marmor, II; Charles A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MATTHEWS, CHRISTINE HOPKINS
• Application Number:
  US10/698,819
• Publication Number:
  US 20050092332A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,341 Days
• Field of Search: 600 36- 37, 128/848, 128/200.24, 128/897
• US Class Current: 128/897
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/566 Intra-oral devices

Abstract

A method and apparatus are disclosed for treating a condition of a patient'"'"'s airway. The condition is attributed at least in part to a spacing of tissue from opposing surfaces in the airway. In one embodiment, the method and apparatus include placing a tissue contractor within the tissue. The contractor includes a static end and a tissue in-growth engaging end. The static end is secured to a bony structure adjacent to tissue to be contracted. The tissue in-growth engaging end is secured to the tissue and spaced from the bony structure. A spacing between the tissue engaging end and a bony end is contracted in order to place the tissue under tension.

Claims

1. A method for treating a condition of a patient'"'"'s airway wherein the condition is attributed at least in part to a spacing of a base of a tongue from opposing pharyngeal wall surfaces in the airway;

the method comprising;

placing a tissue contractor within the tongue of the patient, the contractor including a tissue-engaging end connected to a member;

the tissue-engaging end formed of a tissue growth inducing material to induce tissue in-growth into the tissue-engaging end following implantation in the tongue;

the placing including placing the tissue-engaging end within an interior of said tongue near the base of the tongue and with the member extending from the tissue engaging end to an end near a jaw bone of the patient;

anchoring the end of the member to the jaw bone for the member to resist movement of the tissue-engaging member away from the jaw bone; and

wherein the anchoring is performed after at least partially securing the tissue-engaging end to the tissue.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said anchoring includes pulling on the contractor near the jaw bone and securing the contractor to the jaw bone with the tongue under tension.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the condition is snoring.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein the condition is sleep apnea.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein the member is secured directly to the jaw bone.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein the member is a suture material.

7. A method according to claim 1 wherein the anchoring performed after an initial implantation of the tissue contractor by accessing the member and drawing on the member to draw the tissue-engaging end toward the jaw bone and then anchoring the end of the member to the jaw bone.

8. A method according to claim 1 wherein the member is a resilient material.

9. An apparatus for treating a condition of a patient'"'"'s airway wherein the condition is attributed at least in part by a spacing of a base of a tongue from opposing pharyngeal wall surfaces;

the apparatus comprising;

a tissue contractor dimensioned so as to be placed within the tongue, the contractor including a tissue-engaging end connected to a member;

an anchor for securing the member in place near a jaw bone;

the tissue-engaging end formed of a tissue growth inducing material to induce tissue in-growth into the tissue-engaging end following implantation in the tongue;

the member adapted to be accessed and secured by the anchor to the jaw bone following initial implantation of the tissue contractor.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the condition is snoring.

11. An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the condition is sleep apnea.

12. An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the member is adapted to be secured directly to the bony structure.

13. An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the member is a suture material.

14. An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the member is a resilient material.