Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090025734 | Devices, systems, and methods to move or restrain the hyoid bone - Systems and methods employ implants attached to the hyoid bone, thyroid cartilage, cricoid cartilage, or both the thyroid and cricoid cartilages and a source of magnetic force to move the hyoid bone, thyroid cartilage, cricoid cartilage, or both the thyroid and cricoid cartilages in the treatment of sleep disordered breathing, using attracting, repelling or a combination of attracting and repelling magnetic forces. | 01-29-2009 |
20090177027 | PARTIALLY ERODABLE SYSTEMS FOR TREATMENT OF OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA - The invention relates to devices and methods for reforming tissue surrounding the airway of a subject suffering from obstructive sleep apnea so as to open the airway and alleviate the occurrence of apneic events. Devices comprise a combination of resiliently deformable material and bioerodible material. The deformable portion of the device has a preferred shape that corresponds to the desired final shape of the device once placed in an airway. In making a transplant-ready device, however, the deformable portion is placed into a deformed shape and constrained in that shape by the bioerodible material. After implantation, the device gradually assumes the preferred shape as the constraining bioerodible material erodes. As the device gradually reforms toward the preferred shape, it reforms the tissue into the therapeutically desirable configuration. The gradual nature of the shape change generally stabilizes the device in the tissue, and supports tissue reforming into a stable configuration. | 07-09-2009 |
20100261989 | CATHETER - A catheter includes an outer jacket, a shaft member, a transition member and a core member. The outer jacket has a first interior passage at a proximal end and a second interior passage at a distal end. The shaft member is arranged within the outer jacket. The transition member is fixedly secured to the shaft member and includes a window. The core member is fixedly secured to the transition member. The window in the transition member allows communication between the first interior passage and the second interior passage. | 10-14-2010 |
20100261990 | CATHETER ASSEMBLY AND ASSOCIATED METHOD - A catheter assembly for use in an anatomy can include an elongated body, which can have a proximal end and a distal end. The body can also define a lumen from the proximal end to the distal end. The assembly can include at least one electrode, which can be coupled to the distal end to sense an electrical activity within the anatomy. The assembly can include a core wire, which can be received within the lumen from the proximal end to the distal end. The core wire can be configured to move the distal end from a first configuration to a second configuration. The assembly can also include a necked portion, which can be formed between the proximal end and the distal end to provide increased stiffness to the distal end of the body. | 10-14-2010 |
20110144421 | PARTIALLY ERODABLE SYSTEMS FOR TREATMENT OF OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA - A method of maintaining airway patency in an airway of a patient. The method includes the steps of implanting a device into airway-forming tissue without affixing the device to the tissue and permitting a bioerodable portion of the device to bioerode to apply a force to the airway-forming tissue to maintain airway patency. The invention also provides devices for practicing the method. | 06-16-2011 |
20110226262 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TREATMENT OF SLEEP APNEA - A system for revisably treating an airway disorder is provided with an implant body configured to conform to an airway-interface tissue site in a manner compatible with normal physiological function of the site. In some embodiments, first and second openings extend through first and second implant ends, respectively, for permitting a tissue plug to grow through each opening. Methods of using and revising such systems are also provided. | 09-22-2011 |
20110226263 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TREATMENT OF SLEEP APNEA - A system for treating an airway disorder is provided with an implant body configured to conform to an airway-interface tissue site in a manner compatible with normal physiological function of the site. In some embodiments, the implant body includes an adjustment element configured to allow in-situ adjustment of the implant body between first and second tensioning forces applied to the site. Methods of using such systems are also provided. | 09-22-2011 |
20110308529 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TREATMENT OF SLEEP APNEA - A system for treating an airway disorder is provided with an implant body configured to conform to an airway-interface tissue site in a manner compatible with normal physiological function of the site. In some embodiments, the implant body has a V-shape with first and second elongated legs configured for implantation in airway-interface tissue. The first and second elongated legs are configured to apply tensile forces to the tissue. Methods of using such systems are also provided. | 12-22-2011 |
20110308530 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TREATMENT OF SLEEP APNEA - A system for treating an airway disorder is provided with an implant body configured to conform to an airway-interface tissue site in a manner compatible with normal physiological function of the site. In some embodiments, the implant body has first and second end portions and a medial portion. The implant body also includes a coupler configured to couple the end portions to one another such that the medial portion encircles targeted tissue. Methods of using such systems are also provided. | 12-22-2011 |
20120017919 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TREATMENT OF SLEEP APNEA - A method of treating an airway disorder includes placing an implant in a patient's tongue, wherein the implant has first and second end portions that attach to tissue, and a tensioned medial portion between the first and second ends. The medial portion is configured to apply a pressure of less than a predetermined amount. Device systems associated with such methods are also provided. | 01-26-2012 |
20120024298 | PARTIALLY ERODABLE SYSTEMS FOR TREATMENT OF OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA - A method of maintaining airway patency in an airway of a patient which includes the steps of implanting a device into tissue adjacent an airway, the device having a bioerodable material wound around a resiliently deformable body to temporarily maintain the deformable body in a stretched, deformed state, and permitting the bioerodable material of the device to bioerode to apply a force to maintain airway patency. The invention also provides devices for practicing the method. | 02-02-2012 |
20120132214 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TREATMENT OF SLEEP APNEA - An implant for treating an obstructive airway disorder includes an elongate implant body configured for implanting in airway-interface tissue. The implant body has a medial portion extending between first and second anchoring end portions. The medial portion of the implant body is axially compliant and the end portions are axially non-compliant. Methods of treating an airway disorder comprising implanting an axially-extending implant in an airway-interface tissue are also provided. | 05-31-2012 |
20120138069 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TREATMENT OF SLEEP APNEA - An implant for treating an obstructive airway disorder includes an elongate implant body configured for implanting in airway-interface tissue. At least a portion of the elongate body carries a light transmission material for permitting light transmission therein. Systems and methods of treating an airway disorder comprising implanting an implant in an airway-interface tissue are also provided. | 06-07-2012 |
20120197070 | PARTIALLY ERODABLE SYSTEMS FOR TREATMENT OF OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA - The invention relates to devices and methods for reforming tissue surrounding the airway of a subject suffering from obstructive sleep apnea so as to open the airway and alleviate the occurrence of apneic events. Devices comprise a combination of resiliently deformable material and bioerodible material. The deformable portion of the device has a preferred shape that corresponds to the desired final shape of the device once placed in an airway. In making a transplant-ready device, however, the deformable portion is placed into a deformed shape and constrained in that shape by the bioerodible material. After implantation, the device gradually assumes the preferred shape as the constraining bioerodible material erodes. As the device gradually reforms toward the preferred shape, it reforms the tissue into the therapeutically desirable configuration. The gradual nature of the shape change generally stabilizes the device in the tissue, and supports tissue reforming into a stable configuration. | 08-02-2012 |
20120240940 | DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS USING MAGNETIC FORCE SYSTEMS AFFECTING THE TOUNGUE OR HYOID MUSCCLES IN THE UPPER AIRWYA - Systems and methods are provided for resisting posterior movement of the tongue during sleep, thereby keeping an airway open. The systems and methods employ a first structure that can be placed either in or on a tongue within an oral cavity and/or in a region of hyoid muscle. The first structure includes a ferromagnetic material. The systems and methods employ a second structure that can be placed either in or on external tissue outside the oral cavity and/or in or on external tissue outside the oral cavity in a desired relationship with the first structure. The second structure includes a magnetic material that magnetically interacts with the ferromagnetic material by attracting the ferromagnetic material, thereby resisting posterior movement of the tongue. | 09-27-2012 |
20130098374 | PARTIALLY ERODABLE SYSTEMS FOR TREATMENT OF OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA - A method of maintaining airway patency in an airway of a patient which includes the steps of implanting a device into tissue adjacent an airway, the device having a bioerodable material wound around a resiliently deformable body to temporarily maintain the deformable body in a stretched, deformed state, and permitting the bioerodable material of the device to bioerode to apply a force to maintain airway patency. The invention also provides devices for practicing the method. | 04-25-2013 |
20140000631 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TREATMENT OF SLEEP APNEA | 01-02-2014 |