Partially erodable systems for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea
First Claim
1. A method of alleviating airway restriction comprising:
- implanting a device at a site in the tissue, the device comprising a resiliently expandable inner portion 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 portion in the axially expanded configuration, the device sized and shaped to conform to an airway-forming tissue site in a manner compatible with normal physiological function of the site; and
bioeroding the plurality of discrete bioerodible outer portions, thereby allowing the expandable inner portion to return toward the axially unexpanded configuration to alleviate restriction of the airway.
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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.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method of alleviating airway restriction comprising:
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implanting a device at a site in the tissue, the device comprising a resiliently expandable inner portion 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 portion in the axially expanded configuration, the device sized and shaped to conform to an airway-forming tissue site in a manner compatible with normal physiological function of the site; and bioeroding the plurality of discrete bioerodible outer portions, thereby allowing the expandable inner portion to return toward the axially unexpanded configuration to alleviate restriction of the airway. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification