Magnetic force devices, systems, and methods for resisting tissue collapse within the pharyngeal conduit

• US 7,188,627 B2
• Filed: 09/06/2003
• Issued: 03/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Apneon, Inc.
• Inventors: Liu, Jinfang, Reo, Michael L., Nelson, Lionel M., Boucher, Ryan P., Lax, Ronald G., Doelling, Eric N., Muller, Peter H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lacyk; John P.
• Application Number:
  US10/656,861
• Publication Number:
  US 20040139975A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,284 Days
• Field of Search: 600 9- 15, 128897-898, 128/846, 128/848, 128/859, 623/9, 623/11.11, 623/14.11, 602/902
• US Class Current: 128/898
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/248 Operations for treatment of snoring, e.g. uvulopalatoplasty
• 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 2/0077 Special surfaces of prostheses, e.g. for improving ingrowth A61F2/30767 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/20 Epiglottis; Larynxes; Tracheae combined with larynxes or for use therewith tracheae, bronchi per se A61F2/04 ; tracheostomy tubes A61M16/0465
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/009 magnetic
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/004 specially adapted for a specific therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/06 using magnetic fields produced by permanent magnets A61N2/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 602/902 Antisnoring or mouth closing devices

Abstract

Devices, systems and methods employ magnetic force to resist tissue collapse in targeted pharyngeal structures and individual anatomic components within the pharyngeal conduit during sleep.

Claims

1. An implant system comprising

a ferromagnetic material comprising at least two discrete sources of magnetism and a flexible polymer matrix carrying the at least two discrete sources of magnetism in a spaced apart relationship, the polymer matrix allowing flexure between the sources of magnetism, the ferromagnetic material being sized and configured for implanting in a tissue region in a pharyngeal wall along a pharyngeal conduit, and

a source of magnetic force sized and configured for placement to interact with the ferromagnetic material to resist collapse of the tissue region.

9. A system according to claim 1 or 4

wherein the source of magnetic force is sized and configured for implantation in a tissue region in one of a pharyngeal conduit, a tongue, a pharyngeal wall, an epiglottis, a vallecula, and a soft palate/uvula.

10. A system according to claim 1 or 4

wherein the source of magnetic force interacts by repelling the ferromagnetic material implanted in the pharyngeal wall.

11. A system according to claim 1 or 4

wherein the source of magnetic force is sized and configured for implantation in a tissue region external to the pharyngeal conduit.

12. A system according to claim 1 or 4

wherein the source of magnetic force is sized and configured for placement external to the pharyngeal conduit.

13. A system according to claim 12

wherein the source of magnetic force is sized and configured for placement on one of an oral cavity, a neck, a jaw, and a head.

14. A system according to claim 1 or 4

wherein the source of magnetic force interacts by attracting the ferromagnetic material implanted in the pharyngeal wall.

15. A system according to claim 1 or 2 or 4 or 5

wherein the ferromagnetic material is sized and configured for implanting in the tissue region through a tonsil fossa.

24. A system according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8

wherein the ferromagnetic material includes a soft ferromagnetic material.

25. A system according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8

wherein the ferromagnetic material includes a permanent magnet.

26. A system according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8

wherein the flexible polymer matrix includes a biocompatible protective material.

27. A system according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8

wherein the flexible polymer matrix includes a tissue in-growth material.

28. A system according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8

wherein the flexible polymer matrix includes a mechanical tissue stabilization element.

29. A system according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8

wherein the ferromagnetic material comprises one of a generally horizontal array of ferromagnetic materials implanted in the tissue region, a generally vertical array of ferromagnetic materials implanted in the tissue region, a generally angular array of ferromagnetic materials implanted in the tissue region, and combinations thereof.

30. A system according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8

wherein the source of magnetic force includes one of a permanent magnet and an electromagnet.

31. A system according to claim 1 or 2 or 3

wherein the source of magnetic force comprises at least two discrete sources of magnetism, and

further including a flexible polymer matrix carrying the at least two discrete sources of magnetism in a spaced apart relationship, the polymer matrix allowing flexure between the sources of magnetism.

32. A system according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8

wherein the ferromagnetic material is sized and configured for implantation within an implantation sleeve.

33. A system according to claim 32

wherein the implantation sleeve includes a mechanical tissue stabilization device.

34. A method for treating sleep disordered breathing comprising using an implant system defined in claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8.

2. An implant system comprising

a ferromagnetic material comprising at least two discrete sources of magnetism and a flexible polymer matrix carrying the at least two discrete sources of magnetism in a spaced apart relationship, the polymer matrix allowing flexure between the sources of magnetism, the ferromagnetic material being sized and configured for implanting in one of a soft tissue region defining a portion of a pharyngeal conduit, a soft tissue region in a pharyngeal wall, and combinations thereof, and

a source of magnetic force sized and configured for implanting in one of a tongue, an epiglottis, a soft palate/uvula, a vallecula, in another soft tissue region in a pharyngeal wall, in an opposite pharyngeal wall, and combinations thereof, to repel the ferromagnetic material and resist collapse of the soft tissue region.

3. An implant system comprising

a ferromagnetic material comprising at least two discrete sources of magnetism and a flexible polymer matrix carrying the at least two discrete sources of magnetism in a spaced apart relationship, the polymer matrix allowing flexure between the sources of magnetism, the ferromagnetic material being sized and configured for implanting in a tongue, and

a source of magnetic force sized and configured for placement to interact with the ferromagnetic material in the tongue.

16. A system according to claim 3 or 6

wherein the ferromagnetic material is tethered to an anchoring structure implanted in the tongue.

17. A system according to claim 3 or 6

wherein the ferromagnetic material is coupled to a hyoid bone.

18. A system according to claim 3 or 6 or 7 or 8

wherein the ferromagnetic material is implanted in one of a lateral tissue region of the tongue, an anterior tissue region of the tongue, a posterior tissue region of the tongue, and combinations thereof.

19. A system according to claim 3 or 6 or 7 or 8

wherein the source of magnetic force is sized and configured for implantation in a tissue region in one of a pharyngeal wall, a soft palate/uvula, and combinations thereof.

20. A system according to claim 3 or 6 or 7 or 8

wherein the source of magnetic force is sized and configured for placement in a tissue region external to the tongue.

21. A system according to claim 20

wherein the source of magnetic force is sized and configured for placement on one of an oral cavity, a neck, a jaw, and a head.

22. A system according to claim 3 or 6 or 7 or 8

wherein the source of magnetic force interacts by repelling the ferromagnetic material implanted in the tongue.

23. A system according to claim 3 or 6 or 7 or 8

wherein the source of magnetic force interacts by attracting the ferromagnetic material implanted in the tongue.

4. An implant system comprising

a ferromagnetic material sized and configured for implanting in a tissue region in a pharyngeal wall along a pharyngeal conduit, and

a source of magnetic force comprising at least two discrete sources of magnetism and a flexible polymer matrix can-ying the at least two discrete sources of magnetism in a spaced apart relationship, the polymer matrix allowing flexure between the sources of magnetism, the source of magnetic force being sized and configured for placement to interact with the ferromagnetic material to resist collapse of the tissue region.

5. An implant system comprising

a ferromagnetic material sized and configured for implanting in one of a soft tissue region defining a portion of a pharyngeal conduit, a soft tissue region in a pharyngeal wall, and combinations thereof, and

a source of magnetic force comprising at least two discrete sources of magnetism and a flexible polymer matrix carrying the at least two discrete sources of magnetism in a spaced apart relationship, the polymer matrix allowing flexure between the sources of magnetism, the source of magnetic force being sized and configured for implanting in one of a tongue, an epiglottis, a soft palate/uvula, a vallecula, in another soft tissue region in a pharyngeal wall, in an opposite pharyngeal wall, and combinations thereof, to repel the ferromagnetic material and resist collapse of the soft tissue region.

6. An implant system comprising

a ferromagnetic material sized and configured for implanting in a tongue, and

a source of magnetic force comprising at least two discrete sources of magnetism and a flexible polymer matrix carrying the at least two discrete sources of magnetism in a spaced apart relationship, the polymer matrix allowing flexure between the sources of magnetism, the source of magnetic force being sized and configured for placement to interact with the ferromagnetic material in the tongue.

7. An implant system comprising

a ferromagnetic material sized and configured for implanting in a tongue, the ferromagnetic material being tethered to an anchoring structure implanted in the tongue, and

a source of magnetic force sized and configured for placement to interact with the ferromagnetic material in the tongue.

8. An implant system comprising

a ferromagnetic material sized and configured for implanting in a tongue, the ferromagnetic material being tethered to an anchoring structure adapted to be coupled to a hyoid bone, and

a source of magnetic force sized and configured for placement to interact with the ferromagnetic material in the tongue.

35. An implant device comprising

at least two discrete sources of magnetism, and

a flexible polymer matrix carrying the at least two discrete sources of magnetism in a spaced apart relationship, the polymer matrix allow flexure between the sources of magnetism.

36. A device according to claim 35

wherein the sources of magnetism comprise ferromagnetic materials.

37. A device according to claim 36

wherein the ferromagnetic materials include soft ferromagnetic materials.

38. A device according to claim 36

wherein the ferromagnetic materials include permanent magnets.

39. A device according to claim 35

wherein the at least two discrete sources of magnetism comprise electromagnets.

40. A device according to claim 35

wherein the flexible polymer matrix includes a biocompatible protective material.

41. A device according to claim 35

wherein the flexible polymer matrix includes a tissue in-growth material.

42. A device according to claim 35

wherein the device is sized and configured for implantation in one of a pharyngeal wall, a tongue, a soft palate/uvula, an epiglottis, and a tissue region in a pharyngeal conduit.

43. A method of treating sleep disordered breathing comprising using the implant device defined in claim 35.

44. An implant device comprising

at least one source of magnetism having a periphery, and

a flexible polymer matrix including a protective material encapsulating the at least one source of magnetism, the flexible polymer matrix including an edge region extending beyond the periphery of the source of magnetism to allow flexure of the flexible polymer matrix relative to the source of magnetism.

45. A device according to claim 44

wherein the source of magnetism comprises a ferromagnetic material.

46. A device according to claim 45

wherein the ferromagnetic material includes a soft ferromagnetic material.

47. A device according to claim 45

wherein the ferromagnetic material includes a permanent magnet.

48. A device according to claim 44

wherein the source of magnetism comprises an electromagnet.

49. A device according to claim 44

wherein the flexible polymer matrix includes a tissue in-growth material.

50. A device according to claim 44

wherein the device is sized and configured for implantation in one of a pharyngeal wall, a tongue, a soft palate/uvula, an epiglottis, and a tissue region in a pharyngeal conduit.

51. A method a treating sleep disordered breathing comprising using the implant device defined in claim 44.