Devices and methods for sleep apnea treatment
First Claim
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1. A method of treating an upper airway condition of a patient, the method comprising:
- implanting a stimulation device in the patient, the stimulation device configured to deliver an electrical stimulation signal to the patient'"'"'s hypoglossal nerve to induce a first movement of the patient'"'"'s upper airway tissue having a first magnitude corresponding to a first efficacy in treating the upper airway condition of the patient; and
implanting a fixation device in the patient'"'"'s upper airway tissue, the fixation device having a first end secured to a first portion of upper airway tissue coupled to the tongue of the patient and an opposing second end secured to a second portion of upper airway tissue coupled to at least one of the patient'"'"'s soft palate, palatopharyngeus, or palatoglossus,wherein the implanting of the fixation device modifies the first movement to define a second movement of the patient'"'"'s upper airway tissue having a second magnitude greater than the first magnitude, the second magnitude corresponding to a second efficacy in treating the upper airway condition of the patient.
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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.
439 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of treating an upper airway condition of a patient, the method comprising:
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implanting a stimulation device in the patient, the stimulation device configured to deliver an electrical stimulation signal to the patient'"'"'s hypoglossal nerve to induce a first movement of the patient'"'"'s upper airway tissue having a first magnitude corresponding to a first efficacy in treating the upper airway condition of the patient; and implanting a fixation device in the patient'"'"'s upper airway tissue, the fixation device having a first end secured to a first portion of upper airway tissue coupled to the tongue of the patient and an opposing second end secured to a second portion of upper airway tissue coupled to at least one of the patient'"'"'s soft palate, palatopharyngeus, or palatoglossus, wherein the implanting of the fixation device modifies the first movement to define a second movement of the patient'"'"'s upper airway tissue having a second magnitude greater than the first magnitude, the second magnitude corresponding to a second efficacy in treating the upper airway condition of the patient. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system for treating an upper airway condition of a patient, the system comprising:
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a stimulation device configured to deliver an electrical stimulation signal to the patient'"'"'s hypoglossal nerve to induce a first movement of the patient'"'"'s upper airway tissue having a first magnitude corresponding to a first efficacy in treating the upper airway condition of the patient; and a fixation device configured for implantation in the patient'"'"'s upper airway tissue, the fixation device having a first end configured to be secured to a first portion of upper airway tissue coupled to the tongue of the patient and an opposing second end configured to be secured to a second portion of upper airway tissue coupled to at least one of the patient'"'"'s soft palate, palatopharyngeus, or palatoglossus, wherein the implantation of the fixation device modifies the first movement to define a second movement of the patient'"'"'s upper airway tissue having a second magnitude greater than the first magnitude, the second magnitude corresponding to a second efficacy in treating the upper airway condition of the patient. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification