Method and device for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and snoring
First Claim
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1. A tissue retractor for treatment of a breathing disorder and providing an electrical stimulus comprising:
- a shaft configured for transmucosal insertion into a soft tissue located in a patient'"'"'s oral cavity or pharynx;
a retractor member connected at or near a first end of the shaft;
an anchor member connected at or near a second end of the shaft; and
at least one electrode configured to provide an electrical stimulus to cause contraction of the soft tissue,wherein at least one of the retractor member or anchor member is configured to be positioned on an external surface of the soft tissue, neither the retractor member nor the anchor member configured to be tethered to bone.
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Abstract
The device relates to methods and devices for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.
86 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A tissue retractor for treatment of a breathing disorder and providing an electrical stimulus comprising:
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a shaft configured for transmucosal insertion into a soft tissue located in a patient'"'"'s oral cavity or pharynx; a retractor member connected at or near a first end of the shaft; an anchor member connected at or near a second end of the shaft; and at least one electrode configured to provide an electrical stimulus to cause contraction of the soft tissue, wherein at least one of the retractor member or anchor member is configured to be positioned on an external surface of the soft tissue, neither the retractor member nor the anchor member configured to be tethered to bone. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method for treating a breathing disorder comprising:
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providing a tissue retractor comprising a shaft configured for transmucosal insertion into a soft tissue located in a patient'"'"'s oral cavity or pharynx; a retractor member connected at or near a first end of the shaft; an anchor member connected at or near a second end of the shaft; and at least one electrode configured to provide an electrical stimulus to cause contraction of the soft tissue; and electrically stimulating the soft tissue to cause contraction of the soft tissue to prevent airway obstruction, wherein at least one of the retractor member or anchor member is configured to be positioned on an external surface of the soft tissue, neither the retractor member nor anchor member configured to be tethered to bone.
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Specification