Devices and methods for sleep apnea treatment
First Claim
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1. A method of treating an upper airway tissue collapse condition of a patient, comprising:
- implanting at least one tissue engagement member in the patient'"'"'s upper airway tissue to improve a coupling between the patient'"'"'s genioglossus muscle and a portion of the patient'"'"'s upper airway tissue, wherein the at least one tissue engagement member extends between the patient'"'"'s genioglossus muscle and a portion of the patient'"'"'s upper airway tissue, the implanting of the at least one tissue engagement member having an efficacy in the treatment of the upper airway tissue collapse condition; and
providing a stimulation therapy that delivers an electrical stimulation to a hypoglossal nerve of the patient to cause an advancement of the patient'"'"'s genioglossus muscle and/or an anterior movement of the patient'"'"'s tongue,wherein the stimulation therapy improves the efficacy in the treatment of the upper airway tissue collapse condition associated with the at least one tissue engagement member.
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Abstract
Devices and methods for improving the coupling between the soft palate and the genioglossus. This may be accomplished, for example, but shortening or stiffening the palatoglossal arch. Improved coupling between the soft palate and the genioglossus may be beneficial to a patient suffering from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as a stand-alone procedure, or in combination procedures and devices that cause anterior displacement of the tongue such as hypoglossal nerve stimulation, genioglossus advancement surgery, mandibular advancement surgery, mandibular advancement (oral) appliances, etc.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. A method of treating an upper airway tissue collapse condition of a patient, comprising:
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implanting at least one tissue engagement member in the patient'"'"'s upper airway tissue to improve a coupling between the patient'"'"'s genioglossus muscle and a portion of the patient'"'"'s upper airway tissue, wherein the at least one tissue engagement member extends between the patient'"'"'s genioglossus muscle and a portion of the patient'"'"'s upper airway tissue, the implanting of the at least one tissue engagement member having an efficacy in the treatment of the upper airway tissue collapse condition; and providing a stimulation therapy that delivers an electrical stimulation to a hypoglossal nerve of the patient to cause an advancement of the patient'"'"'s genioglossus muscle and/or an anterior movement of the patient'"'"'s tongue, wherein the stimulation therapy improves the efficacy in the treatment of the upper airway tissue collapse condition associated with the at least one tissue engagement member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification