109 results about "Oral pharynx" patented technology

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.

An apparatus and method for treating sleep apnea and/or snoring is provided. The apparatus includes an appliance sized and structured to be placed in the pharyngeal region of a human or animal and being effective in treating sleep apnea and/or snoring, for example in maintaining openness of an oropharyngeal region of a human or animal during natural sleep, advantageously while not interfering with normal functioning of the epiglottis. Preferably, the appliance is non-circumferential in form and includes rounded, spaced apart end portions.

An oral airway consists of an elongate tubular member having a leading distal end and a proximal end, the leading distal end leading the elongate tubular member as it is inserted into the mouth and pharynx of a patient. An opening at the leading distal end of the elongate tubular member is inclined so that a posterior portion of the distal portion extends beyond an anterior portion of the distal end. A flexible tip portion extends distally beyond the opening to aid in insertion of the oral airway into the mouth and pharynx of a patient. The tip is configured to flex toward the opening as it abuts tissue within the mouth and pharynx of a patient.

An oropharyngeal device for insertion into the mouth of a patient. The device includes a body having a distal end and a proximal end with a flange formed at the proximal end. The distal end is inserted into the mouth until the flange is disposed outside and adjacent to the patient's mouth. The flange keeps the proximal device from entering the mouth. The body is sized such that the distal end of the body is disposed within the pharynx above the epiglottis. The device includes a channel that forms an airway between the ends. The device also includes at least three separate conduits integrated into the body for administering oxygen, suctioning, and for assessing ventilation thorough end-tidal carbon dioxide monitoring. The conduits for oxygenation and suctioning extend through the body between its proximal and distal ends. The conduit for end-tidal carbon dioxide monitoring terminates within the channel.

A dental device comprises an intraoral nasal dilator and a mandibular repositioner working synergistically as an anti-snoring device. The device has a lower segment of thermoplastic material which is formed to fit over the lower teeth and is connected to an upper section of molded material extending between the upper jaw and the upper lip by a wire connector. The wire connector has mechanisms allowing adjustment of the lower jaw positioning. A wire extension with acrylic pads at end is bonded in the midline of the flange and extends out so that the pads stretch the tissue of the lip and lateral nasal walls preventing collapse during respiration while the anterior repositioning of the lower jaw maintains opening of the posterior pharyngeal airway during sleep functioning as an anti-snoring device. Additional applications of the intraoral nasal dilator include incorporation into sports mouth guards using a variety of materials.

A laryngeal-mask airway device including provision for drainage of the oesophagus comprises an inflatable main-cuff and a backplate having a laryngeal-side and a pharyngeal-side. The backplate also has an external tube-joint adjacent to the proximal region of the main-cuff. The backplate is hermetically bonded to the periphery of the main-cuff establishing separation between a laryngeal-chamber region and a pharyngeal region. An distally open evacuation tube includes a distal portion which longitudinally traverses the interior of the distal region of the main-cuff in sealed relation therewith for operative engagement and communication with the inlet of the oesophagus. The evacuation tube traverses the laryngeal-chamber region generally adjacent to the laryngeal-side of the backplate and passages through a proximally located tube-joint to the pharyngeal region. An airway tube also extends into the tube-joint for communication with an airway port to provide a flowpath between the airway tube and laryngeal-chamber region.

Isometric muscle manipulation results in a reduction in breathing airway restriction and the incidence and magnitude of sleep apnea and snoring. The method comprises exercises including, raising the tip of the tongue upward and backward in the mouth to touch the area between the hard palate and the soft palate of the mouth and then pressing the tongue upwardly, raising the flat tongue upward pressing it against the hard palate, placing the jaw in a slightly open attitude and pressing the tongue against the floor of the mouth, expanding the nasal and oral pharynx, and placing the jaw in the closed attitude and then protruding the jaw to a forward position.

An oral airway for insertion into the mouth and pharynx of a patient is disclosed and adapted to connect to an anesthesia breathing connector, a suction tube, or a nasal cannula, interchangeably as needed, without necessitating the removal of the oral airway from the patient. A tubular member has a connector at a proximal end and includes a first portion that is adapted for fixing with the anesthesia breathing connector. A second portion of the connector is adapted for receiving the suction tube. At least one protuberance between the first and second portions receives and retains a portion of the nasal cannula, or alternately, at least one aperture is included in the second portion for receiving a portion of the nasal cannula. A mouth guard extends outwardly from the connector. Alternately, a suction tube guide within the tubular member may be slidably positionable between a retracted and extended position.

A variably automated tissue retention system generally comprises an oral appliance retractably coupled to a covering which is secured to an anterior portion of the tongue. As the subject moves their tongue naturally or sleeps and the tongue becomes hypotonic, the subject's tongue may move posteriorly. As the covering pulls the tongue anteriorly or maintains a position of the tongue, the base of the tongue may be inhibited or prevented from collapsing posteriorly against the pharyngeal tissue walls and thereby allow the subject to breathe normally by automatically increasing the suction pressure on the tongue to maintain securement of the covering to the tongue as the tongue moves posteriorly.

A superglottic and peri-laryngeal apparatus for supraglottic airway device insertion that contemporaneously clears a patient's upper airway of the tongue and other pharyngeal tissues, and raises the epiglottis without use of the medical practitioner's fingers in the upper airway. The insertion apparatus comprises an offset member with a compressor-lever shield at a distal insertion end and a handle at the proximal end thereof. The offset member, medially disposed between the handle and the compressor-lever shield, should preferably be configured to be substantially flat, consistent in thickness throughout and having a tight, arcuate shape. The compressor-lever shield member preferably widens from its junction with the offset member into a broad tip at its leading distal edge.

A pharyngeal intubation guiding device includes lengthwise extending tongue-side and palate-side walls that cooperatively define a guiding duct. The tongue-side wall is configured to conform to the rear end of a patient's tongue to permit the guiding duct to confront the opening of the patient's larynx. The palate-side wall has an outer contour which establishes a guideway towards the opening of the patient's esophagus. A lengthwise extending laryngoscope guiding channel and a lengthwise extending endotracheal tube guiding groove are disposed in the guiding duct. A viewing window is disposed to define a terminal end of the laryngoscope guiding channel. The endotracheal tube guiding groove has a lead-in port to permit an endotracheal tube introduced therein to be removable laterally. A lengthwise extending conduit is disposed in the guiding duct to permit an aspirator tube to reach the patient's trachea to suck out phlegm.

Embodiments include a method and apparatus for maintaining an open airway passage in a patient while having the capacity to provide supplemental gas such as oxygen to the patient. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an oral cannula comprising an extended cannula member and an oral airway member. The method may include inserting the oral cannula into a pharynx of the patient and providing gas such as oxygen directly to an opening of a glottis of the patient. Other embodiments include a kit comprising a nasal cannula member comprising a delivery cannula and at least two cannula prongs, an oral airway member, and at least two cannula extension members, each cannula extension member connectable to each nasal cannula member prong.

An oropharyngeal device for assisting oral ventilation of a patient is disclosed. The device comprises a pharyngeal section configured to engage the tongue of the patient and a bite block connected to the pharyngeal section. The bite block includes a proximate maxillary surface configured to engage at least a portion of the maxilla of the patient. The bite block further includes a maxillary flange adjacent the proximate maxillary surface that is configured to engage the upper lip of the patent. The bite block further includes a mandibular surface opposite the proximate maxillary surface. At least a portion of the mandibular surface opposite the maxillary flange is configured to engage at least a portion of the mandible of the patient.

A removable intraoral apparatus for improving airway patency is described. Wearing the apparatus alters the position, configuration and freedom of movement of the tongue, the muscles of mastication, as well as the pharyngeal and facial muscles. The apparatus is useful for correcting snoring and/or obstructive sleep apnea due to intermittent closures or partial obstructions occurring in the oropharynx during sleep. The apparatus of the invention can improve various types of airway disorders and improve oral functions by changing the position, configuration and freedom of movement of selected portions of the tongue and mouth, reducing the resistance to air flow in the mouth and pharynx, re-orienting and reprogramming the muscles of the mouth and tongue, and maintaining a proper oral systemic balance.

Provided is a drug formulation for mouth or pharynx to be used for medical care or treatment for serious stomatitis caused by a side effect of an anti-tumor agent or the like, and for anesthesia in the pharynx, with remarkably suppressed discomfort due to bitter taste although it contains a local anesthetic as a main efficacious component. The drug formulation of the present invention comprises a local anesthetic as an efficacious component, and a weak acid, its pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a mixture thereof, wherein the mixing ratio of the weak acid to the local anesthetic is 1:1 or more by mole ratio.

This invention provides an oral apparatus and method capable of alleviating or curing snore and obstructive sleep apnea by applying a negative pressure through a mini oral interface to the oral cavity. The mini oral interface creates a secure connection to mouth and helps a patient's upper and lower lips closed during sleeping. The negative pressure pulls the tongue toward upper palate and also pulls the soft palate forward as well. By moving the tongue and the soft tissue in a forward direction, the patency of the upper airway near the pharynx is maintained to prevent sleep-disordered breathing. The negative pressure will pull the lips inward to close the mouth preventing air from entering the oral cavity from atmosphere. The negative pressure will also pull the soft palate into contact with the rear surface of the tongue to create a seal that prevents the air from entering the oral cavity through the nasal airway.

An inflatable oral airway (IOA) device for maintaining the patency of an airway of a patient without substantial extension into the pharynx or larynx of the patient. The IOA is inserted into the patient's oro-pharynx after the patient is sedated or under general anesthesia. The IOA comprises a core that is substantially shaped the same as a conventional or normal human airway. The IOA has an inverted orientation, i.e. the bottom or ventral surface of the core rests on the upper surface of the patient's tongue. The IOA also comprises a cuff and a hinge balloon which may be inflated in tandem or in sequence to open and support the soft tissues of the mouth and pharynx in four different directions as well as articulate and increase the internal volume of the IOA itself.