Methods and devices for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea

摘要

A pharyngeal retractor device and implantation methods are provided for use in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. The device includes a retracting element and a tissue engaging element that promotes tissue ingrowth around or onto the retracting element. The device is implanted in tissue space beneath the pharyngeal wall to alter the shape of the wall. The device may be implanted through the oral cavity alone or by using a trocar or a hand-held delivery system to deliver the device through the pharyngeal wall. Alternatively, the device may be implanted using an open, direct visualization approach from the side of a patient's neck.

主权项

1. A method for surgically treating obstructive sleep apnea, the method comprising the steps of:
delivering an implantable device having first and second ends into tissue located beneath a pharyngeal wall, including introducing the implantable device orally and through the pharyngeal wall into the tissue beneath the pharyngeal wall, further including: positioning a distal end of a trocar proximate the pharyngeal wall, wherein the implantable device is covered by a protective sheath, the protective sheath having a trocar sleeve at one end and wherein the trocar sleeve covers the distal end of the trocar; inserting the distal end of the trocar at a first location in the pharyngeal wall; passing the implantable device through the tissue beneath the pharyngeal wall; further advancing the trocar to exit the pharyngeal wall through a second location; and removing the protective sheath from the implantable device by pulling the trocar sleeve until the sheath exits the pharyngeal wall.