Systems and methods for treatment of sleep apnea

• US 8,776,799 B2
• Filed: 03/21/2011
• Issued: 07/15/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ReVENT Medical, Inc.
• Original Assignee: ReVENT Medical, Inc.
• Inventors: Gillis, Edward M., Shadduck, John H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bianco, Patricia
• Assistant Examiner(s): HAWTHORNE, OPHELIA ALTHEA
• Application Number:
  US13/053,025
• Publication Number:
  US 20110226262A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,212 Days
• Field of Search: 128/848, 128859-862, 433 6- 7, 600/564
• US Class Current: 128/848
• 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 2210/0004 bioabsorbable
• 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

A system for revisably treating an airway disorder is provided with an implant body configured to conform to an airway-interface tissue site in a manner compatible with normal physiological function of the site. In some embodiments, first and second openings extend through first and second implant ends, respectively, for permitting a tissue plug to grow through each opening. Methods of using and revising such systems are also provided.

Claims

1. A method for treating a disorder of an airway comprising:

implanting a resilient implant in a releasably tensioned configuration in an airway-interface tissue;

permitting a first end portion and a second end portion of the resilient implant to surround a first tissue plug and a second tissue plug respectively in the airway-interface tissue to releasably anchor the first and second end portions of the resilient implant, wherein the first and second end portions each comprise a loop adapted to surround one of the respective tissue plugs;

releasing the resilient implant from the tensioned configuration to move the resilient implant toward a non-tensioned configuration, thereby alleviating tissue obstruction of the airway;

cutting the loop at either the first or second end portions to disengage the resilient implant from the airway-interface tissue; and

extracting the resilient implant from the airway-interface tissue to revise a treatment.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein a portion of the implant is releasably maintained in the tensioned configuration by a bioerodible or biodissolvable material.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the bioerodible or biodissolvable material is carried about an exterior of the implant body.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the bioerodible or biodissolvable material is carried within an interior portion of the implant body.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the releasing step comprises allowing the bioerodible or biodissolvable material to erode or dissolve.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the cutting step includes cutting with a cut wire, at least one blade edge or thermal applicator.

7. The method of claim 1 where the first and second tissue plugs grow through the first and second end portions of the implant, respectively, after the implant is implanted.