Implant systems and methods for treating obstructive sleep apnea

• US 8,800,567 B2
• Filed: 10/13/2009
• Issued: 08/12/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Weadock, Kevin S., Rousseau, Robert A., Jacobs, John R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bianco, Patricia
• Assistant Examiner(s): Patel, Nihir
• Application Number:
  US12/578,271
• Publication Number:
  US 20100137905A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,764 Days
• Field of Search: 128/846, 128/848, 128/860, 128/897, 128/898, 128/899, 623/9, 623/11.11, 623/14.13, 623/17.17, 602/902, 606/53, 606/60, 606/251, 606/263
• US Class Current: 128/848
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00557 inflatable A61B2017/22051 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0404 Buttons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0417 T-fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06176 with protrusions, e.g. barbs
• 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 2/0063 Implantable repair or support meshes, e.g. hernia meshes
• 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, method and kit for treating obstructive sleep apnea. The system includes a first implant adapted for implantation in an inframandibular region and having at least one aperture therethrough, and a ribbon-like element having first and second ends and a substantially uniform, non-circular cross section along its length. The ribbon-like element is adapted for implantation in a tongue with the first and second ends extending through the at least one aperture in the first implant for coupling the ribbon-like element with the first implant.

Claims

1. A system for treating obstructive sleep apnea comprising:

a substantially flat, planar first implant adapted for implantation in an inframandibular region and having at least one aperture therethrough extending between a top surface and a bottom surface of the implant, the first implant further comprising a substantially flat, planar cover portion, and a substantially flat, planar base portion coupled to the cover portion around a peripheral edge so as to form a pouch therebetween, and a substantially flat, planar anchor element positioned within said pouch between said cover portion and base portion, wherein the aperture therethrough extends through the cover portion, base portion and anchor element; and

a ribbon element having first and second ends and a substantially uniform, non-circular cross-section along an entire length thereof, wherein the ribbon-like element is adapted for implantation in a tongue with the first and second ends extending through the at least one aperture in the first implant for coupling said ribbon-like element with said first implant.

2. The system according to in claim 1, wherein said anchor element has a stiffness greater than said cover and base portions.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the anchor element is comprised of a biocompatible, non-resorbable material selected from the group consisting of silicon, polyurethane, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyurethane, stainless steel, nitinol, tantalum and titanium.

4. The system according to in claim 1, wherein said cover and base portions are comprised of a biocompatible mesh or a biocompatible fabric.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein the mesh or fabric is a resorbable mesh or fabric.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the anchor element is comprised of a mesh.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the ribbon-like element is comprised of polytetrafluoroehtylene.