Implantable devices, systems, and methods for maintaining desired orientations in targeted tissue regions

• US 20080066765A1
• Filed: 06/18/2007
• Published: 03/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Apneon, Inc.
• Inventors: Paraschac, Joseph, Nelson, Lionel
• Granted Patent: US 8,074,654 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/848
• 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

At least one elongated body is sized and configured for implantation in a desired orientation in a tissue region in an airway. An array of projections extends from the elongated body and is resiliently coupled to the elongated body. The array or projections is in a normally biased outward extending condition sized and configured to engage tissue and resist a reorientation of the elongated body within the tissue region out of the desired orientation after implantation of the elongated body in the tissue region. The array of projections is sized and configured to resiliently yield by flexing inward against the elongated body during implantation of the elongated body in the tissue region.

Claims

1. An implant system comprising

at least one elongated body sized and configured for implantation in a desired orientation in a tissue region in an airway, and

an array of projections extending from the elongated body and being resiliently coupled to the elongated body in a normally biased outward extending condition sized and configured to engage tissue and resist a reorientation of the elongated body within the tissue region out of the desired orientation after implantation of the elongated body in the tissue region, the array of projections being sized and configured to resiliently yield by flexing inward against the elongated body during implantation of the elongated body in the tissue region.

2. An implant system according to claim 1

wherein the desired orientation of the elongated body includes a state of tension.

3. An implant system according to claim 2

further including a component to adjust the state of tension.

4. An implant system according to claim 1

wherein the desired orientation of the elongated body includes a curvilinear configuration.

5. An implant system according to claim 1

wherein the elongated body comprises a flexible material.

6. An implant system according to claim 1

wherein the elongated body comprises a suture material

7. An implant system according to claim 1

wherein at least one of the projections comprises a flexible material.

8. An implant system according to claim 1

wherein at least one of the projections comprises a barb.

9. An implant system according to claim 1

wherein the elongated body is sized and configured for implantation in a desired orientation in a palate.

10. An implant system according to claim 1

wherein the elongated body is sized and configured for implantation in a desired orientation in a uvula.

11. An implant system according to claim 1

wherein the elongated body is sized and configured for implantation in a desired orientation in a tongue.

12. An implant system according to claim 1

wherein the elongated body is sized and configured for implantation in a desired orientation in an epiglottis.

13. An implant system according to claim 1

wherein the elongated body is sized and configured for implantation in a desired orientation in a muscle along an upper respiratory tract.

14. An implant system according to claim 1

further including a tissue anchor coupled to the elongated body.

15. An implant system according to claim 1

further including a bone anchor coupled to the elongated body.

16. An implant system according to claim 1

further including an implantation tool sized and configured to be introduced into the tissue region and having an interior bore accommodating passage of the elongated body for implantation in the tissue region.

17. An implant system according to claim 16

wherein the implantation tool includes a distal end region sized and configured to penetrate tissue.

18. A method comprising

selecting a tissue region in an airway, and

providing at least one elongated body sized and configured for implantation in a desired orientation in the tissue region, the elongated body including an array of projections extending from the elongated body and being resiliently coupled to the elongated body in a normally biased outward extending condition sized and configured to engage tissue and resist a reorientation of the elongated body within the tissue region out of the desired orientation after implantation of the elongated body in the tissue region, the array of projections being sized and configured to resiliently yield by flexing inward against the elongated body during implantation of the elongated body in the tissue region, and

implanting the at least one elongated body to stabilize a desired orientation of the tissue region.

19. A method according to claim 18

wherein the tissue region selected includes a palate.

20. A method according to claim 18

wherein the tissue region selected includes a uvula.

21. A method according to claim 18

wherein the tissue region selected includes a tongue.

22. A method according to claim 18

wherein the tissue region selected includes an epiglottis.

23. A method according to claim 18

wherein the tissue region selected includes a muscle along an upper respiratory tract.

24. A method according to claim 18

wherein implanting includes placing the at least one elongated body in a state of tension in the tissue region.

25. A method according to claim 18

wherein implanting includes anchoring the at least one elongated body to tissue.

26. A method according to claim 18

wherein implanting includes anchoring the at least one elongated body to bone.

27. A method according to claim 18

wherein implanting includes placing the at least one elongated body in a curvilinear orientation.

28. A method according to claim 18

wherein implanting includes passing the elongated body through an implantation tool.