Methods and devices for treating sleep apnea
First Claim
1. An implantable tissue retractor for treatment of a breathing disorder, the implantable tissue retractor formed of a flexible material that can bend along a surface of a tissue and comprising:
- a flexible elastic shaft for insertion into a soft tissue located in a patient'"'"'s oral cavity or pharynx;
a retractor member at or near a first end of the shaft;
a removable coupler connectable at or near a second end of the shaft; and
an anchor member configured to be threaded onto the shaft and secured thereto during implantation wherein at least one of a portion of the shaft, the retractor member, or the anchor member is positionable on a surface of the soft tissue to prevent a deformation of at least a portion of the soft tissue of the patient.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An implantable tissue retractor for treatment of a breathing disorder and related methods. The implantable tissue retractor comprises a shaft sized for insertion into a soft tissue located in a patient'"'"'s oral cavity or pharynx. The implantable tissue retractor also comprises a retractor member at or near a first end of the shaft. The implantable tissue retractor also comprises a removable coupler connected at or near a second end of the shaft. At least one of a portion of the shaft or the retractor member is positionable on a surface of the soft tissue. At least one of the shaft, retractor member, or removable coupler is adjustable to vary a force to prevent a deformation of at least a portion of the soft tissue to prevent obstruction of the patient'"'"'s airway.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. An implantable tissue retractor for treatment of a breathing disorder, the implantable tissue retractor formed of a flexible material that can bend along a surface of a tissue and comprising:
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a flexible elastic shaft for insertion into a soft tissue located in a patient'"'"'s oral cavity or pharynx; a retractor member at or near a first end of the shaft; a removable coupler connectable at or near a second end of the shaft; and an anchor member configured to be threaded onto the shaft and secured thereto during implantation wherein at least one of a portion of the shaft, the retractor member, or the anchor member is positionable on a surface of the soft tissue to prevent a deformation of at least a portion of the soft tissue of the patient. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A tissue retractor for treatment of a breathing disorder, the tissue retractor formed of a flexible material that can bend along a surface of a tissue and comprising:
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a flexible elastic shaft for insertion into a soft tissue located in a patient'"'"'s oral cavity or pharynx, the shaft having at least one securing feature; a retractor member connected at or near a first end of the shaft; and an anchor member defining an aperture therethrough, the aperture sized and shaped to receive the shaft, wherein the anchor member is adapted to slide along the shaft for adjusting tension and is engageable by the at least one securing feature for securing the anchor member and setting the tension. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A kit for treatment of a breathing disorder, the kit comprising:
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an implantable tissue retractor comprising a flexible elastic shaft for insertion into a soft tissue located in a patient'"'"'s oral cavity or pharynx, a retractor member at or near a first end of the shaft, a removable coupler connected at or near a second end of the shaft; and
an anchor member configured to be threaded onto the shaft and secured thereto during implantation wherein at least one of a portion of the shaft, the retractor member, or the anchor member is positionable on a surface of the soft tissue to prevent a deformation of at least a portion of the soft tissue of the patient; anda tissue retractor holder comprising a handle, a retention system disposed at a distal end of the handle for temporarily retaining the removable coupler, and a detainer positioned on the handle, the detainer capable of engaging the implantable tissue retractor. - View Dependent Claims (30)
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Specification