Glossopexy adjustment system and method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9408742-B2
Application number	US-76264207-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 13, 2007
Priority date	Feb 8, 2005
Publication date	Aug 9, 2016
Grant date	Aug 9, 2016

Abstract

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 adjusting a glossopexy system are also disclosed. Adjusting a distance between two body-engaging structures can be performed without disengaging a tether from either of the body-engaging structures in some embodiments.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A tongue remodeling system, comprising:
a first body-engaging structure;
a second body-engaging structure;
a tether connected and fastened to the first body-engaging structure and to the second body-engaging structure; and
means for adjusting a distance between the first body-engaging structure and the second body-engaging structure when the first body-engaging structure and the second body-engaging structure are engaged with a body without disconnecting and unfastening the tether from either of the body-engaging structures.

2. The tongue remodeling system of claim 1 , wherein the means for adjusting a distance between the first body-engaging structure and the second body-engaging structure comprises a ratchet.

3. The tongue remodeling system of claim 1 , wherein the means for adjusting a distance between the first body-engaging structure and the second body-engaging structure comprises a worm drive.

4. The tongue remodeling system of claim 1 , wherein the means for adjusting a distance between the first body-engaging structure and the second body-engaging structure comprises a friction shaft operably engaged within a bone anchor.

5. The tongue remodeling system of claim 1 , wherein the means for adjusting a distance between the first body-engaging structure and the second body-engaging structure comprises a set screw for locking the tether.

6. The tongue remodeling system of claim 1 , wherein the first body-engaging structure comprises a bone anchor and wherein the means for adjusting a distance between the first body-engaging structure and the second body-engaging structure is directly attached to the bone anchor.

7. The tongue remodeling system of claim 6 , wherein the first body-engaging structure comprises a bone anchor and wherein the means for adjusting a distance between the first body-engaging structure and the second body-engaging structure is directly attached to a proximal head portion of the bone anchor.

8. The tongue remodeling system of claim 1 , wherein the means for adjusting a distance between the first body-engaging structure and the second body-engaging structure comprises a clamping element configured to clamp a tether.

9. The tongue remodeling system of claim 1 , wherein the first body-engaging structure comprises a bone anchor, the bone anchor comprising a bore within the bone anchor; and the means for adjusting a distance between the first body-engaging structure and the second body-engaging structure comprises a rotatable member operably engaged within the bore.

10. The tongue remodeling system of claim 1 , wherein the means for adjusting a distance between the first body-engaging structure and the second body-engaging structure comprises a lead screw.

11. The tongue remodeling system of claim 1 , wherein the means for adjusting a distance between the first body-engaging structure and the second body-engaging structure comprises a cam lock.

12. The tongue remodeling system of claim 1 , wherein the means for adjusting a distance between the first body-engaging structure and the second body-engaging structure comprises a drawstring lock.

13. The tongue remodeling system of claim 1 , wherein the means for adjusting a distance between the first body-engaging structure and the second body-engaging structure comprises a turnbuckle.

14. The tongue remodeling system of claim 1 , wherein the means for adjusting a distance between the first body-engaging structure and the second body-engaging structure comprises one or more magnets.

15. The tongue remodeling system of claim 1 , wherein the means for adjusting a distance between the first body-engaging structure and the second body-engaging structure comprises a screw and a bit-valve covering over a portion of the screw.

16. The tongue remodeling system of claim 1 , wherein the means for adjusting a distance between the first body-engaging structure and the second body-engaging structure comprises a rotational assembly.

17. The tongue remodeling system of claim 1 , wherein the means for adjusting a distance between the first body-engaging structure and the second body-engaging structure comprises an adjustable knot.

18. The tongue remodeling system of claim 1 , wherein the means for adjusting a distance between the first body-engaging structure and the second body-engaging structure comprises a gripping collar.

19. The tongue remodeling system of claim 1 , wherein the means for adjusting a distance between the first body-engaging structure and the second body-engaging structure comprises a bead clamp.

20. The tongue remodeling system of claim 1 , wherein the means for adjusting a distance between the first body-engaging structure and the second body-engaging structure comprises a plurality of eccentricity plates.

21. The tongue remodeling system of claim 1 , wherein the means for adjusting a distance between the first body-engaging structure and the second body-engaging structure comprises a spool with an axial titration element.

22. The tongue remodeling system of claim 1 , wherein the means for adjusting a distance between the first body-engaging structure and the second body-engaging structure comprises a zip tie.

23. The tongue remodeling system of claim 1 , wherein the means for adjusting a distance between the first body-engaging structure and the second body-engaging structure comprises a plurality of finger elements.

24. The tongue remodeling system of claim 1 , wherein the means for adjusting a distance between the first body-engaging structure and the second body-engaging structure comprises an element with a channel therein configured to house the tether therethrough, the channel containing a friction surface configured to resist movement of the tether.

Assignees

• Dineen Michael
• Hirotsuka Mark
• Jackson Jasper
• Frazier Andrew
• Roue Chad
• Van Der Burg Erik
• Koninklijke Philips Nv

Inventors

• Dineen Michael
• Hirotsuka Mark
• Jackson Jasper
• Frazier Andrew
• Roue Chad
• Van Der Burg Erik

Classifications

• A61B2017/248

  Operations for treatment of snoring, e.g. uvulopalatoplasty · CPC title

• A61B2017/0433

  the anchor or the separate member comprising threads, e.g. a set screw or a worm gear for moving spreading members · CPC title

• A61B17/0401 Primary

  Suture anchors, buttons or pledgets, i.e. means for attaching sutures to bone, cartilage or soft tissue; Instruments for applying or removing suture anchors (A61B17/0642 takes precedence; fixation devices for tendons or ligaments A61F2/0811) · CPC title

• A61B2017/0458

  Longitudinal through hole, e.g. suture blocked by a distal suture knot · CPC title

• A61B17/24

  for use in the oral cavity, larynx, bronchial passages or nose (for medical inspection of cavities or tubes in the body A61B1/00); Tongue scrapers · CPC title