Methods and devices for treating sleep apnea and snoring

A component, retractor technology, applied in the field of keeping the upper airway open, can solve catastrophic tongue, swelling, internal bleeding and other problems

Inactive Publication Date: 2009-03-18
语灵活股份有限公司
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Any implants in this area are likely to cause internal bleeding and potentially catastrophic tongue swelling

Method used

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  • Methods and devices for treating sleep apnea and snoring
  • Methods and devices for treating sleep apnea and snoring
  • Methods and devices for treating sleep apnea and snoring

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

Embodiment Construction

[0286] 1. Retractor member ( Image 6 )

[0287] Disclosed here is a retractor member that is inserted by a needle and automatically deploys into its working shape.

[0288] The retractor head prevents deformation of the base of the tongue. A preferred property of the retractor head resting on the tongue base mucosa is that its depth is minimal so that it is not noticed by the patient yet its surface area is large enough to provide adequate counterforce. Integral to this design is a delivery device for inserting the LTR. Preferably, the entire device is inserted from the anterior tongue with minimal instrumentation behind the tongue. Thus, the retractor head preferably automatically deploys into its working shape after implantation by a needle inserted from the front of the tongue.

[0289] Part of this aspect of the invention includes improvements to the design of the retractor head that enable easy insertion of the retractor head. In some embodiments, the insertion ma...

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PUM

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Abstract

Embodiments of the invention include methods and devices to prevent or treat upper airway disorders in mammals re lated to impaired airflow. One aspect of this invention is a tongue retractor (LTR) that indirectly retracts tongue base by its implant site in the frenulum area. This simplifies the insertion, adjustment and maintenance of the device. Another aspect of this invention describes a highly localized and fully implantable LTR that is inserted into the base of tongue to stiffen lax surface mucosa or mechanically couple it to internal tongue structures. Another aspect of this invention is an LTR inserted in or around the pharyngoglossal fold. This site allows retraction and stiffening of tongue base tissue as well as the soft palate and lateral pharyngeal wall.

Description

[0001] Cross References to Related Applications [0002] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application No. 10,597,590, filed June 31, 2006, which is a continuation-in-part of International Patent Application No. PCT / US2005 / 006430, filed February 28, 2005 under 35 U.S.C. §371 A national phase application, this International Patent Application claims the benefit of US Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 547,897, filed February 26, 2004, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. This application also claims the benefit of US Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 765,638, filed February 6, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference. technical field [0003] The present invention relates to methods and devices for maintaining patency of the upper airway. Background technique [0004] Snoring, upper airway resistance syndrome, and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) all involve narrowing or obstruction of the upper airway during sleep (...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(China)
IPC IPC(8): A61F2/00A61F13/00
CPCA61F5/566
Inventor I·桑德斯
Owner 语灵活股份有限公司
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