Systems and methods for treatment of sleep apnea
First Claim
1. A method of treating an airway disorder comprising implanting at least one implant body in a patient'"'"'s tongue, wherein the at least one implant applies a tensile force in alignment with muscle fibers, and wherein at least one of first and second ends comprise an unbroken loop comprising an elastomeric material and the unbroken loop completely encircling a tissue plug and being subsequently removed by cutting the loop to release the tissue plug from the at least one implant body, the tissue plug being substantially intact after release.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An implant for treating an obstructive airway disorder includes an elongate implant body configured for implanting in airway-interface tissue. At least a portion of the elongate body carries a light transmission material for permitting light transmission therein. Systems and methods of treating an airway disorder including implanting an implant in an airway-interface tissue are also provided.
157 Citations
18 Claims
- 1. A method of treating an airway disorder comprising implanting at least one implant body in a patient'"'"'s tongue, wherein the at least one implant applies a tensile force in alignment with muscle fibers, and wherein at least one of first and second ends comprise an unbroken loop comprising an elastomeric material and the unbroken loop completely encircling a tissue plug and being subsequently removed by cutting the loop to release the tissue plug from the at least one implant body, the tissue plug being substantially intact after release.
Specification