2205results about "Snoring prevention" patented technology

A method and apparatus are disclosed for treating obesity includes an artificial fistula created between gastrointestinal organs such as between the stomach and the colon. The method includes selecting an implant comprising a passageway having an internal lumen with an inlet end and an outlet end. The passageway is positioned passing through a first wall of first gastrointestinal organ (for example, passing through the wall of the stomach) and a second wall of a second gastrointestinal organ (for example, passing through the wall of the large intestine) with the inlet end disposed within an interior of the first gastrointestinal organ and with the outlet disposed within an interior of the second gastrointestinal organ.

Methods and devices are disclosed for manipulating the palatal tissue. An implant is positioned within at least a portion of the soft palate and may be secured to other surrounding, less mobile structures such as the hard palate or the mucosa overlying the hard palate. The implant may be manipulated to displace at least a portion of the soft palate in an anterior or lateral direction, or to alter the tissue tension or compliance of the soft palate.

Therapeutic and diagnostic systems and methods help an individual with a sleep disordered breathing condition, such as habitual snoring or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), achieve deep, restorative sleep. The systems and methods include component that serve complementary sensing, monitoring, and corrective or diagnostic functions.

Headwear is adapted for use by a patient to position airway tubes of a nasal interface operatively connected to a positive airway pressure device. The headwear includes an elongated head strap for being worn around a head of the patient. Cooperating sets of front and rear tube holders are attached to the head strap, and are adapted for engaging and holding respective airway tubes of the nasal interface to retain the tubes in a desired position during use. The tube holders include at least one elastic strip extending along a longitudinal dimension of the head strap.

A device is disclosed for treating sleep and breathing disorders of a patient, along with the method of using the device. The device includes a processor for receiving sensor inputs, processing the received sensor inputs, and generating commands through output devices. A first sensor is positionable for receiving breathing sound information emitted from one of the mouth and nose of a patient. The second sensor is positionable on a patient for receiving breathing sounds information from a patient's chest cavity. A third sensor is positionable for receiving information relating to the amount of chest expansion of a patient. A first output device is provided that is capable of providing an auditory signal to a patient. A second output device is capable of providing an electrical signal to a muscle group of a patient that simulates a human touching event. The first, second and third sensors, and the first and second output devices are operatively coupled to the processor to permit the processor to receive information input from the sensors, process the input information to the detect the existence of a sleep-breathing disorder event, and to generate command to at least one of the first and second output devices. The command is capable of directing the at least one output device to provide a series of progressively intrusive stimuli designed to condition the patient to terminate the sleep breathing disorder event, and ultimately, return to a more normal sleep pattern.

A method for direct fabrication of an orthodontic device having tooth-fitting cavities, such as an aligner, using layer-by-layer printing of a single or multiple polymeric materials. The cavities of the appliance are defined by the boundaries of the multiple layers, encapsulating up to fourteen teeth of a patient, and shaped to apply a load to at least one tooth that is sufficient to cause movement of the tooth, and remodeling of the adjacent bone. A series of such appliances may be used to treat malocclusion of teeth, each directly manufactured appliance used in series to incrementally move one or more teeth from initial positions toward a desired final position. The appliance may be fabricated with a variety of disclosed materials, and may include auxiliary features for interaction with other orthodontic elements.

Methods and devices are disclosed for manipulating the tongue, and more particularly for temporarily suspending the tongue. One embodiment of the device comprises an elongate member with a retractable distal tissue-engaging tip that is movable within the lumen of tubular member configured for insertion into the tongue, preferably from an inferior surface of the jaw. The device may be used diagnostically assess the effect of performing tongue suspension in a patient prior to permanent implantation of a glossopexy device. The retractable distal tissue-engaging tip may be removed after diagnostic assessment, or left in place and attached to a temporary external securing device.

Systems and related methods treat snoring and other sleep related disorders by stabilizing the position of a tongue in an oral cavity. The systems and methods employ an operative element sized and configured to be fitted to less mobile tissue in the oral cavity. The operative element is further constructed and arranged to interact with a tongue in the airway to stabilize a preferred tissue orientation. The operative element can comprise a suction source sized and configured to draw more mobile tongue tissue toward the suction source. The operative element can comprise a magnetic source sized and configured to magnetically attract material fitted to more mobile tongue tissue in the airway.

Devices and methods for maintaining an open airway are described. Systems and methods are described for maintaining an opening of an airway by application of force to a patient's tissues in one of inferior, anterior, and lateral directions.

A method of treating a patient, comprising: sensing a biological parameter indicative of respiration; analyzing the biological parameter to identify a respiratory cycle; identifying an inspiratory phase of the respiratory cycle; and delivering stimulation to a hypoglossal nerve of the patient, wherein stimulation is delivered if a duration of the inspiratory phase of the respiratory cycle is greater than a predetermined portion of a duration of the entire respiratory cycle.

Methods and devices are disclosed for manipulating the tongue. An implant is positioned within at least a portion of the tongue and may be secured to other surrounding structures such as the mandible and / or hyoid bone. In general, the implant is manipulated to displace at least a portion of the posterior tongue in an anterior or lateral direction, or to alter the tissue tension or compliance of the tongue. Methods and devices are also disclosed for manipulating other soft tissue structures, including the soft palate and pharyngeal airway.

Devices, systems and methods of neurostimulation for treating obstructive sleep apnea. The system is adapted to send an electrical signal from an implanted neurostimulator through a stimulation lead to a patient's nerve at an appropriate phase of the respiratory cycle based on input from a respiration sensing lead. External components are adapted for wireless communication with the neurostimulator. The neurostimulator is adapted to deliver therapeutic stimulation based on inputs.

The invention is directed to manufacturing and testing methods of electronic intraoral devices for diagnose, monitor and treat local and systemic diseases and conditions for humans and animals. More specifically, the current invention deals with manufacturing techniques, testing methods and a testing apparatus of mainly three types of intra-oral devices: (a) electro-stimulators for various applications such as treatment of dry mouth by stimulating saliva secretion, apnea, sleeping disorders, eating disorders (obesity, anorexia, etc.) dysphagia and others, (b) drug delivery devices; and (c) bio-sensing and monitoring devices. The common parts or the devices are: (1) art electronic module embedded in the device: (2) or a power source being embedded in the device; (3) the devices (or part of them) being placed in the oral cavity.

Methods and devices are disclosed for manipulating the tongue. An implant is positioned within at least a portion of the tongue and may be secured to other surrounding structures such as the mandible and / or hyoid bone. In general, the implant is manipulated to displace at least a portion of the posterior tongue in an anterior or lateral direction, or to alter the tissue tension or compliance of the tongue. Methods and devices for adjusting a glossopexy system are also disclosed. Adjusting a distance between two body-engaging structures can be performed without disengaging a tether from either of the body-engaging structures in some embodiments.

Headwear is adapted for use by a patient to position airway tubes of a nasal interface operatively connected to a positive airway pressure device. The headwear includes an elongated head strap for being worn around a head of the patient. First and second tube holders are attached to the head strap, and adapted for engaging and holding respective airway tubes of the nasal interface to retain the tubes in a desired position during use. Each of the tube holders includes an elastic strip extending along a longitudinal dimension of the head strap. The elastic strip cooperates with the head strap to form an eye for receiving an airway tube of the nasal interface.

At least one elongated tension-able body is sized and configured for implantation in a desired orientation in a tissue region in an airway. An array of projections extend from the elongated tension-able body, which are sized and configured to engage tissue and resist a reorientation of the elongated tension-able body within the tissue region out of the desired orientation.

Intrabuccal device includes two shells (2, 3) made of thermoformed plastic material, the first of which respectively covers the superior arch, and the second of which covers the inferior arch of the oral cavity. This device is provided with (rings and arms) (4a, 4b, 13a, 13b) that act on the said shells (2, 3) and can generate a mandibular propulsion force oriented in the direction of the mandibular propulsion and in the posteroanterior sense, so as to keep a shift of the mandible to the front of the maxilla, while allowing lateral movements.

Systems and methods incorporate implant structures, and / or implantation devices, and / or surgical implantation techniques, to make possible the treatment of physiologic conditions, such as sleep disordered breathing, with enhanced effectiveness.

Methods and devices for treating nasal airways are provided. Such devices and methods may improve airflow through an internal and / or external nasal valve, and comprise the use of mechanical re-shaping, energy application and other treatments to modify the shape, structure, and / or air flow characteristics of an internal nasal valve, an external nasal valve or other nasal airways.

At least one elongated body is sized and configured for implantation in a desired orientation in an epiglottis and / or in a muscle along an upper respiratory tract. An array of projections extends from the elongated body, which is sized and configured to engage tissue and resist a reorientation of the elongated body within the tissue region out of the desired orientation.