Systems and methods for treatment of sleep apnea

• US 8,733,363 B2
• Filed: 03/21/2011
• Issued: 05/27/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ReVENT Medical, Inc.
• Original Assignee: ReVENT Medical, Inc.
• Inventors: Gillis, Edward M., Poutiatine, Andrew, Shadduck, John H., Truckai, Csaba
• Primary Examiner(s): Bianco, Patricia
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, CAMTU TRAN
• Application Number:
  US13/053,059
• Publication Number:
  US 20110226263A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,163 Days
• Field of Search: 128/848, 128897-899, 623/9, 623/11.11, 623/14.11, 623/13.11, 623/13.13, 623/14.13, 600/37
• US Class Current: 128/848
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/00 Filters implantable into blood vessels; Prostheses, i.e. artificial substitutes or replacements for parts of the body; Appliances for connecting them with the body; Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents as cosmetic articles, see the relevant subclasses, e.g. wigs, hair pieces, A41G3/00, A41G5/00; artificial nails A45D31/00; dental prostheses A61C13/00; materials for prostheses A61L27/00; artificial hearts A61M60/00; artificial kidneys A61M1/14
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0004 bioabsorbable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/56 Devices for preventing snoring by influencing the respiratory system by gas treatment A61M16/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/566 Intra-oral devices

Abstract

A system for treating an airway disorder is provided with an implant body configured to conform to an airway-interface tissue site in a manner compatible with normal physiological function of the site. In some embodiments, the implant body includes an adjustment element configured to allow in-situ adjustment of the implant body between first and second tensioning forces applied to the site. Methods of using such systems are also provided.

Claims

1. A system for treating an airway disorder, comprising:

an implant body having an axis and sized and shaped to conform to an airway-interface tissue site in a manner compatible with normal physiological function of the site; and

an adjustment element in the implant body configured to allow in-situ adjustment of the implant body between first and second tensioning forces applied to the site, wherein the implant body includes a ratchet mechanism allowing adjustment between said first and second tensioning forces.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the implant body includes a modifiable polymer configured to provide adjustment between said first and second tensioning forces.

3. A method of treating an airway disorder, comprising:

implanting an elongate implant body into a site in a patient'"'"'s tongue, the implant sized and shaped to conform in a manner compatible with normal physiological function of the site and to apply selected tensioning forces to the site;

manipulating the implant in situ to alter the tensioning forces applied to the site,

wherein the manipulating step is accomplished by manipulating the tongue surface wherein manipulating the tongue surface adjusts a latch mechanism in the implant body and further wherein the latch mechanism comprises a ratcheting member.