Magnetic implants and methods for treating an oropharyngeal condition

• US 8,813,754 B2
• Filed: 01/07/2013
• Issued: 08/26/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Rousseau, Robert A., Weadock, Kevin S., Sung, An-Min Jason
• Primary Examiner(s): Bianco, Patricia
• Assistant Examiner(s): PETRIK, KARI K
• Application Number:
  US13/735,766
• Publication Number:
  US 20130118505A1
• Time in Patent Office: 596 Days
• Field of Search: 128/848, 128897-899, 602/902
• US Class Current: 128/848
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/009 magnetic
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/06 using magnetic fields produced by permanent magnets A61N2/12 takes precedence

Abstract

Magnetic devices and implantation methods are provided for use in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. The devices include a sheet-like element having ferromagnetic qualities. The device may also include a permanent magnet attached to the sheet-like element by magnetic forces. The devices are implanted in soft tissue surrounding the airway and in tissue space beneath the pharyngeal wall to exert forces on and/or change the shape of the soft tissue. The magnetic devices may also include a bladder containing a magnetorheological fluid that stiffens soft tissue when exposed to a magnetic field.

Claims

1. A method for surgically treating an oropharyngeal condition, the method comprising the steps of:

delivering a magnetorheological system comprising a magnetorheological fluid into a soft tissue component of an air passage; and

delivering a permanent magnet to a location proximate the air passage, wherein the step of delivering a permanent magnet further comprises implanting a magnetic implant comprising the permanent magnet and a sheet-like element including a ferromagnetic material, the permanent magnet being attached to the sheet-like element solely by magnetic interaction between the permanent magnet and the sheet-like element;

whereby a partial collapse of the air passage brings the permanent magnet and the magnetorheological fluid into proximity, thereby changing an apparent viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid so as to alter a compliance of the soft tissue.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the magnetorheological system further comprises a biocompatible bladder.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the biocompatible bladder has a flattened shape.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

permitting tissue ingrowth in the sheet like element to which the permanent magnet is magnetically attached; and

adjusting a magnetic field by replacing the permanent magnet with a second permanent magnet, the second permanent magnet being attached solely by magnetic interaction between the second permanent magnet and the sheet-like element.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of delivering a permanent magnet further comprises providing an appliance including the permanent magnet to be used in the mouth or externally by a patient.