42 results about "Hyoid bone" patented technology

A laryngeal airway device includes an air tube with proximal and distal ends, and a sealing member attached to the distal end of the air tube. The sealing member includes an anterior surface adapted to seat in the throat, against the hyoid bone, and to stretch the laryngeal inlet. A hole extends through the anterior surface and the sealing member and communicates through an air passage with the distal end of the air tube. When the sealing member is seated in the throat, the hole is contained within the rim of the stretched laryngeal inlet, with which the anterior surface forms a seal that surrounds the hole. Airway patency is thereby ensured.

A method is provided for surgically treating obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. In a first embodiment of the invention, a procedure is provided which includes the step of splitting the hyoid bone to open the pharyngeal space anteriorly, posteriorly and laterally, using the mandible as support for both anterior and lateral advancement and expansion, thereby relieving the effects of OSAS. In another embodiment of the invention, a modified version of the first embodiment is provided in which the hyoid is suspended but not split. In this embodiment, the pharyngeal space is increased anteriorly and posteriorly, but to a lesser degree laterally. Splitting the hyoid and distracting it is believed effective as it provides increased pharyngeal space.

Methods and devices are disclosed for manipulating the hyoid bone, such as to treat obstructive sleep apnea. A conformable implant is positioned adjacent a hyoid bone. The spatial orientation of the hyoid bone is manipulated, to affect the configuration of the airway. The implant restrains the hyoid bone in the manipulated configuration. The implant is positioned adjacent to pharyngeal structures to dilate the pharyngeal airway and/or to support the pharyngeal wall against collapse. The implant may be attached to the hyoid bone using a clamp delivery tool that is adapted to releasably engage the implant.

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 engaging the tongue are also disclosed. One embodiment of a tongue remodeling system includes an elongate implant configured to be positioned within a selected region of the tongue and a tether configured to suspend the tongue. The tether can be configured to be looped around the elongate implant and connected to another structure.

Methods and devices are disclosed for remodeling the tongue. One or more spaces or cavities are formed in the tongue using, for example, surgical or RF ablative techniques. The cavities can be closed or collapsed by inserting a tethered soft tissue anchor into the tongue and attaching the tethered portion of the soft tissue anchor to a bony structure such as the mandible or hyoid bone in order to exert a collapsing force on the one or more spaces or cavities. The insertion pathway of the tethered soft tissue anchor may pass adjacent to or even through one or more cavities. Also disclosed herein is a tongue remodeling system that includes means for creating a space in the tongue, and a tissue anchor configured to close the space. The tissue anchor may be tethered or expandable.

Devices and methods were discovered that successfully provided patient autonomous control of both hyolaryngeal elevation, anterior hyoid motion and opening of the upper esophageal sphincter for swallowing by intramuscular stimulation of two muscles. The technology allows patient self stimulation of swallowing and can return oral feeding to dysphagia patients. Indwelling electrode stimulation of only two muscles generated as much as 80 % of normal synergistic movement leading to swallowing. The devices and methods also are useful for control of other upper respiratory muscle groups involved in speech and voice. Calibration techniques may be used in combination for greater freedom in setting and using electrodes over extended implantation time periods. These methods and devices can control complex movements of body solids such as bone and cartilage and tissues by electro stimulation of a minimum set of muscles simultaneously.

A anti-snoring and anti-obstructive sleep apnea apparatus has a plate or metal frame tongue shelf splint to prevent the flaccid tongue falling back, a palate shelf splint projection to elevate the soft palate and prevents its vibration, incisors teeth receptacles or pockets sockets for jaw displacer to hold the mandible moved forwards, and to prevent it falling back held between the bite block, catheter-tubing to administer oxygen supplementation from the external source which reduces air turbulence and promotes nasal breathing, a submental suprahyoid muscle stimulator placed below the tongue, and above the mucous membrane. An injection port is provided to administer any therapeutic agents and local anesthetics to reduce the sensitivity of the tongue and oral cavity mucus membrane lining to the foreign objects. This device is used to deliver therapeutic agents to prevent and to treat halitosis and various diseases.

A laryngeal mask is provided with an outer tube and a connector, having a base end in which is formed a first connecting portion capable of being connected to an artificial respirator and a leading end in which is formed a ventilation opening, the outer tube and the connector having a communication passage formed therein that communicates between the first connecting portion and the ventilation opening, a ring-shaped cuff capable of tightly adhering to a tracheal opening of a patient trachea as a result of inflating in a state where the ring-shaped cuff is inserted to a predetermined insertion position, and hyoid bone-contacting portions and protruding laterally from the outer tube so as to contact from above a site in a pharyngeal portion of the patient corresponding to a hyoid bone of the patient in a state where the ring-shaped cuff is inserted to the insertion position.

Provided are systems (100) for control of or determining the effectiveness of a neck suction device using one or more secondary metrics. A sensor device (101) may be used to measure or determine one or more secondary metrics relating to the neck of a patient in response to the application of suction to the neck of the patient proximal to the hyoid bone of the patient by a neck suction device. A processing device (107) may then determine whether to adjust the suction intensity in response to the measured/determined metrics. The metrics may also be use do determine whether neck suction is likely to be effective for a specific patient.

The present disclosure provides a medical training simulation apparatus for training medical professionals, emergency medical support personnel, military personnel, parents or families of persons who have or will be undergoing neck or airway surgery, or any other persons requiring a simulator for learning the anatomy or practicing procedures or surgery of the neck and/or airway. The apparatus may include a simulated base that may be free standing or may rest on a mannequin and may have a hole for accessing the simulated airway, simulated skin, simulated fat, simulated lymph nodes, simulated neck musculature, simulated arteries and veins with simulated blood therein, simulated thyroid gland, simulated parathyroid glands, simulated laryngeal and tracheal cartilage including the hyoid bone, thyroid cartilage, cricoid cartilage, tracheal rings, epiglottis and arytenoid cartilages, mucosa, recurrent laryngeal nerves, trachealis muscle, esophagus and prevertebral fascia. The apparatus may include alteration or addition of one or more anatomical parts to simulate congenital or acquired anomalies. One or more parts of the simulation apparatus may be disposable or replaceable.