Methods and apparatus for treating glottis insufficiency

Abstract

Methods and systems configured to treat a patient's glottic insufficiency are disclosed. An implant system may include a first implant positioned in the patient's paraglottic space. The first implant is adjustable in volume by changing amount of filler in the implant. The implant system may include a fixation device fixated on or through a cartilage opening in the patient's thyroid cartilage. The fixation device may contain a first channel. The implant system may include a first tube having a first end coupled with the first implant. The first tube passes through the first channel of the fixation device to deliver the filler to the implant. The implant system may further contain a port coupled with a second end of the first tube to regulate the amount of filler in the implant.

Description

[0001] Cross references to related patent applications [0002] This application is related to, and claims the benefit of priority from, the following commonly owned and currently pending provisional application: 1) Filed March 15, 2013, entitled "Methods for Treating Glottic Insufficiency and 2) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61878045, filed on September 16, 2013, entitled "Method and Apparatus for Treating Glottic Insufficiency" patent applications; and 3) US Provisional Patent Application, entitled "Flexible Member Implants and Delivery Systems," Application Serial No. 61878047, filed September 16, 2013, which is a non-provisional application of the aforementioned application. The disclosures of the aforementioned applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety, including any appendices and annexes thereto, for all purposes. [0003] This application is a divisional application, the international application number of the original application is...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Nonetheless, one limitation of AA procedures associated with posterior airway closure is the increased frequency of postoperative airway discomfort following AA procedures due to postoperative tissue edema in the glottic region

Further, Type I MT procedures and AA procedures may not be suitable for patients who have difficulty in supine positioning for prolonged periods of time or who cannot tolerate surgical procedures of prolonged duration

[0006] Since both of the above procedures use implant or suture fixation techniques, the general discomfort caused by these procedures does not have the ability to precisely adjust the implant or suture during surgery, and does not have the ability to adjust the implant and suture after surgery

In particular, due to the edema-type swelling of the vocal tract mucosa caused by these procedures, it is difficult to precisely perform intraoperative adjustment of the implant

For example, cutting open the implant during surgery can result in prolonged operative time and suboptimal implant shaping

Furthermore, these implants cannot be adjusted postoperatively at all

Images