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Airway implant

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

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