Methods and apparatus for treating glottic insufficiency

Abstract

An example implant system to treat glottic insufficiency is disclosed. The implant system includes a fixation frame comprising a first set of flanges at a first edge of the fixation frame and a secondflange at a second edge of the fixation frame, wherein the fixation frame is configured to secure the implant system at an opening of the patient's thyroid cartilage, a port system disposed in the fixation frame and configured to receive, deliver, maintain, or remove a filler, and a flexible member, coupled to the fixation frame and in fluid or air communication with the port system, wherein based on an amount of the filler in the flexible member, the flexible member is configured to inflate in a direction to push against the patient's arytenoid cartilage so the arytenoid cartilage is rocked,adducted and / or rotated inferomedially.

Description

[0001] Cross References to Related Applications [0002] This application claims U.S. Provisional Application 62 / 320,444, filed April 8, 2016, U.S. Provisional Application 62 / 341,610, filed May 25, 2016, U.S. Provisional Application 62 / 419,972, filed November 10, 2016 and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 62 / 455,515, filed February 6, 2017. These provisional applications, including any appendices and attachments thereto, are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Background technique [0003] Dysphagia associated with aspiration pneumonia often occurs in patients with neurologic disease. Neurological disorders may result from stroke, brain surgery, head and / or spinal cord trauma, oropharyngeal disease, radiation therapy, cardiac / thoracic surgery, autoimmune or other degenerative neurological diseases. Aspiration pneumonia may be primarily caused by glottic insufficiency due to paralysis of the vocal cords with or without swallowing dysfunction. Strok...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, one limitation of the AA surgical procedure associated with posterior airway closure is the increased frequency of airway complaints following this AA surgical procedure due to postoperative tissue edema in the glottic region

In addition, Type I MT procedures and AA procedures may not be appropriate for patients who have difficulty with prolonged supine positioning or who cannot tolerate prolonged surgical procedures

[0005] Since both of the above surgical procedures use implant or suture fixation techniques, a common complaint with these procedures is the inability to precisely adjust the implant or suture intraoperatively and postoperatively

Specifically, accurate intraoperative implant adjustment is difficult due to the edematous swelling of the laryngeal mucosa caused by these surgical procedures

For example, cutting an implant during surgery can result in longer surgery times and poorly formed implants

Furthermore, these implants cannot be adjusted postoperatively at all

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