Implant systems and methods for treating obstructive sleep apnea
First Claim
1. A system for treating obstructive sleep apnea comprising:
- a body implantable in a soft palate;
a fastening element at a proximal end of said body for connecting said body with a hard palate, said fastening element including an upper tab protecting from the proximal end of said body for being secured to a top surface of said hard palate and at least one lower tab protecting from the proximal end of said body for being secured to a bottom surface of said hard palate, wherein said upper tab and said at least one lower tab oppose one another and are normally biased toward one another.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for treating obstructive sleep apnea includes a body implantable in a soft palate, and a fastening element at a proximal end of the body for connecting the body with a hard palate. In one embodiment, the body is curved and has a convex top surface and a concave bottom surface. The curved body is adapted to support and/or change the shape of the soft palate for minimizing the likelihood of airway obstructions during sleep. The fastening element, secureable to the hard palate, includes at least one barb adapted to engage the hard palate for anchoring the body to the hard palate. In one embodiment, the body has a surface adapted to promote tissue in-growth. The implant body may be made of materials including nitinol, stainless steel, biocompatible polymers, temperature-sensitive materials, and shape memory materials.
157 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A system for treating obstructive sleep apnea comprising:
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a body implantable in a soft palate; a fastening element at a proximal end of said body for connecting said body with a hard palate, said fastening element including an upper tab protecting from the proximal end of said body for being secured to a top surface of said hard palate and at least one lower tab protecting from the proximal end of said body for being secured to a bottom surface of said hard palate, wherein said upper tab and said at least one lower tab oppose one another and are normally biased toward one another. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An implant for supporting a uvula for treating obstructive sleep apnea comprising:
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a body implantable in a soft palate, said body having a distal end and a proximal end; a fastening element adjacent the proximal end of said body for fastening said body to a hard palate, said fastening element including an upper tab and a pair of lower tabs opposing said upper tab, said upper tab and said lower tabs protecting from said proximal end of said body, said upper tab having barbs that extend toward said pair of lower tabs and each of said lower tabs having barbs that extend toward said upper tab, wherein said upper tab and said pair of lower tabs are normally biased toward one another for engaging the respective top and bottom surfaces of said hard palate. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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Specification