Pharyngeal tissue stabilization

• US 7,686,021 B2
• Filed: 08/03/2005
• Issued: 03/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Xomed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Xomed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Knudson, Mark B., Conrad, Timothy R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sweet; Thomas J
• Assistant Examiner(s): IWAMAYE, ANDREW MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US11/196,690
• Publication Number:
  US 20050268919A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,700 Days
• Field of Search: 128/898, 128/848, 128/897, 606/204.45, 606/199, 606/196, 606228-230, 623/9, 600/37
• US Class Current: 128/848
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0077 Special surfaces of prostheses, e.g. for improving ingrowth A61F2/30767 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/20 Epiglottis; Larynxes; Tracheae combined with larynxes or for use therewith tracheae, bronchi per se A61F2/04 ; tracheostomy tubes A61M16/0465
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/56 Devices for preventing snoring by influencing the respiratory system by gas treatment A61M16/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 31/002 Devices for releasing a drug at a continuous and controlled rate for a prolonged period of time artificial gland structures or devices A61F2/022; intra-uterine contraceptive devices A61F6/14; tampons for introducing into the vagina A61F13/20, A61L15/00; suppositories or bougies for intra-vaginal or intra-uterine application A61K9/02; physical forms of medicinal preparations for sustained or differential drug release A61K9/20, A61K9/50
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 37/00 Other apparatus for introducing media into the body for reproduction or fertilisation A61B17/425; apparatus for iontophoresis or cataphoresis A61N1/30; Percutany, i.e. introducing medicines into the body by diffusion through the skin salt baths A61H33/04

Abstract

A patient'"'"'s pharyngeal wall is treated by inserting an expander member into the airway and positioning an active portion of the expander member in opposition to portions of the pharyngeal wall to be treated. The expander member is activated to urge the wall portions outwardly to an outwardly displaced position. The expander member is then deactivated while leaving the wall portions in the outwardly placed position and the expander member is removed from said airway. A further aspect of the treatment includes stabilization of at least a portion of the pharyngeal wall after compression of portions of the wall.

Claims

1. A method of implanting an apparatus in a pharyngeal wall, comprising the steps of:

providing at least one apparatus including a suture, the suture having end portions and a non-resorbable portion, wherein only the end portions are entirely covered with a resorbable material;

implanting the suture in tissue of the pharyngeal wall such that only the end portions extend out of the pharyngeal wall; and

affixing the suture to at least one vertebra by securing the end-portions at a location substantially outside of the pharyngeal wall;

wherein following resorption of the end portions, the non-resorbable portion is fully recessed behind the pharyngeal wall, the non-resorbable portion providing mechanical stabilization of the tissue of the pharyngeal wall.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of providing at least one apparatus includes providing an apparatus comprising a plastic material, and/or a metal material, and/or a fabric material, and/or a ceramic material, or a combination thereof.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of providing at least one apparatus includes providing an apparatus comprising a material having a spring-like mechanical property.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of providing at least one apparatus includes providing an apparatus comprising material having an elastic mechanical property.

5. A method according to claim 1, further including bracing the tissue in the pharyngeal wall against collapse.

6. A method according to claim 1, further including stabilizing the tissue in the pharyngeal wall against collapse.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of implanting the suture includes implanting the suture in compressed tissue of the pharyngeal wall.

8. A method according to claim 1, further including compressing the tissue of the pharyngeal wall and implanting the suture in the compressed tissue of the pharyngeal wall, wherein the non-resorbable portion stabilizes the compressed tissue of the pharyngeal wall.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of implanting the suture includes implanting the suture such that only the end portions extend out of the pharyngeal wall into a patient'"'"'s airway passage.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the step of securing the end portions of the suture includes tying off the end portions in the patient'"'"'s airway passage.