Implant systems and methods for treating obstructive sleep apnea

• US 8,915,252 B2
• Filed: 03/08/2013
• Issued: 12/23/2014
• 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): Brown, Michael A.
• Application Number:
  US13/790,509
• Publication Number:
  US 20130186412A1
• Time in Patent Office: 655 Days
• Field of Search: 128/846, 128/848, 128859-862, 602/902
• 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 kit for treating a sleep apnea patient, comprising:

a first implant adapted for implantation in an inframandibular region;

a ribbon-like element having first and second ends and a substantially uniform, non-circular cross-section along a length thereof, and adapted for implantation in a tongue and for coupling with the first implant;

at least one introducer;

at least one snare adapted to pass through said introducer, and having a distal end adapted to couple with the first end of said ribbon-like element.

2. The kit according to claim 1, further comprising a suture having first and second ends, and a needle element coupled to the first end.

3. The kit according to claim 1, further comprising a second ribbon-like element having first and second ends and adapted for implantation in a tongue and for coupling with the first implant.

4. The kit according to claim 1, wherein the first ribbon-like element is comprised of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene.

5. The kit according to claim 1, wherein the first implant further comprises a cover portion, a base portion, and an anchor element positioned therebetween, the anchor element having at least one aperture therethrough.

6. The kit according to claim 5, 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.

7. The kit according to claim 1, further comprising a washer, the washer being adapted to be placed between the ribbon-like element and first implant.

8. The kit according to claim 1, further comprising a balloon, the balloon being adapted to be placed between the ribbon-like element and the first implant.

9. The kit according to claim 8, further comprising a filling reservoir coupled to the balloon.