Partially erodable systems for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea
First Claim
1. A device for alleviating tissue obstruction of an airway in a human subject comprising:
- a plurality of resiliently expandable inner portions each having an axially expanded configuration in which the inner portion is stretched into axial tension and an axially unexpanded configuration in which the inner portion is not stretched in axial tension; and
a plurality of discrete bioerodible outer portions maintaining the expandable inner portions in the axially expanded configuration,the expandable inner portions being configured to return toward the axially unexpanded configuration upon erosion of the bioerodible outer portions,the device being sized and shaped to be implanted in an airway-forming tissue site in a manner compatible with normal physiological function of the site.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention relates to devices and methods for reforming tissue surrounding the airway of a subject suffering from obstructive sleep apnea so as to open the airway and alleviate the occurrence of apneic events. Devices comprise a combination of resiliently deformable material and bioerodible material. The deformable portion of the device has a preferred shape that corresponds to the desired final shape of the device once placed in an airway. In making a transplant-ready device, however, the deformable portion is placed into a deformed shape and constrained in that shape by the bioerodible material. After implantation, the device gradually assumes the preferred shape as the constraining bioerodible material erodes. As the device gradually reforms toward the preferred shape, it reforms the tissue into the therapeutically desirable configuration. The gradual nature of the shape change generally stabilizes the device in the tissue, and supports tissue reforming into a stable configuration.
146 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A device for alleviating tissue obstruction of an airway in a human subject comprising:
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a plurality of resiliently expandable inner portions each having an axially expanded configuration in which the inner portion is stretched into axial tension and an axially unexpanded configuration in which the inner portion is not stretched in axial tension; and a plurality of discrete bioerodible outer portions maintaining the expandable inner portions in the axially expanded configuration, the expandable inner portions being configured to return toward the axially unexpanded configuration upon erosion of the bioerodible outer portions, the device being sized and shaped to be implanted in an airway-forming tissue site in a manner compatible with normal physiological function of the site. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification