Systems and methods for moving and/or restraining tissue in the upper respiratory system
First Claim
1. An implant assembly comprisinga first implant element sized and configured for implantation in a mandible within an oral cavity,a second implant element sized and configured for implantation in a tongue region within the oral cavity, anda third implant element coupled to the first and second implant elements within the oral cavity, the third implant element being capable of applying force between the first and second implant elements such that the implant, in use, resists posterior movement of the tongue within the oral cavity.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods selectively stabilize tissue in the oral cavity. The systems and methods implant a first implant element in a bone region within an oral cavity and implant a second implant element in a tongue region within the oral cavity. The systems and methods resist posterior movement of the tongue within the oral cavity by coupling the first implant element to the second implant element within the oral cavity. By coupling, the systems and methods apply force, e.g., tension, between the first and second implant elements.
-
Citations
16 Claims
-
1. An implant assembly comprising
a first implant element sized and configured for implantation in a mandible within an oral cavity, a second implant element sized and configured for implantation in a tongue region within the oral cavity, and a third implant element coupled to the first and second implant elements within the oral cavity, the third implant element being capable of applying force between the first and second implant elements such that the implant, in use, resists posterior movement of the tongue within the oral cavity.
-
5. An implant assembly comprising
a first implant element sized and configured for implantation in a hyoid bone within an oral cavity, a second implant element sized and configured for implantation in a tongue region within the oral cavity, and a third implant element coupled to the first and second implant elements within the oral cavity, the third implant element being capable of applying force between the first and second implant elements such that the implant, in use, resists posterior movement of the tongue within the oral cavity.
-
8. An implant assembly comprising
a first implant element sized and configured for implantation in a mandible within an oral cavity, a second implant element sized and configured for implantation in a tongue region within the oral cavity, and a third implant element coupled to the first and second implant elements within the oral cavity, the third implant element being capable of applying tension between the first and second implant elements such that the implant, in use, resists posterior movement of the tongue within the oral cavity.
-
11. A method comprising
implanting a first implant element in a mandible within an oral cavity, implanting a second implant element in a tongue region within the oral cavity, and resisting posterior movement of the tongue within the oral cavity by coupling the first implant element to the second implant element within the oral cavity.
-
12. A method comprising
implanting a first implant element in a hyoid bone within an oral cavity, implanting a second implant element in a tongue region within the oral cavity, and resisting posterior movement of the tongue within the oral cavity by coupling the first implant element to the second implant element within the oral cavity.
-
14. A method comprising
implanting a first implant element in a mandible within an oral cavity, implanting a second implant element in a tongue region within the oral cavity, and resisting posterior movement of the tongue within the oral cavity by placing into tension a third implant element between the second implant element and the first implant element within the oral cavity.
Specification